Twelve months after the presentation of the ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy’, the European Commission’s diagnosis points to tangible progress, while also underlining that high prices and volatility in energy markets remain determining factors for households, businesses, and regional competitiveness. Preliminary measures, including the reduction of taxes and levies on electricity bills and the use of mechanisms such as the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework, have been applied in several Member States and provide immediate relief in certain regulated areas. At the same time, the Commission has advanced legislative and consultative initiatives — such as the proposal for a European Grids Package and the revision of Energy Union governance — to address deeper aspects of market integration and energy efficiency.

Nevertheless, the report acknowledges that external factors — from global supply patterns to adverse weather conditions affecting renewable generation — influence the expected outcomes and highlight the persistence of structural challenges linked to fossil fuel dependence and the fragmentation of national markets. The emphasis on coordination and support for measures designed at the local or national level suggests a pragmatic recognition that the transition towards a more affordable and sustainable energy system requires more finely tuned policy orchestration, investment in key infrastructure such as grids and interconnectors, and sustained momentum in renewables and efficiency.