The European Commission has unveiled AccelerateEU, a policy package designed to protect consumers from fossil-driven energy shocks while speeding up the shift to clean energy produced within the European Union.
AccelerateEU strategy: key measures to address the energy crisis
“The choices made today will define Europe’s ability to respond to both current pressures and future disruptions”. With this message, Ursula von der Leyen presented on 22 April 2026 the long-awaited AccelerateEU strategy, a set of short- and long-term measures shaping the transition to renewable energy.
The objective is twofold: provide immediate relief to households and businesses affected by the energy crisis triggered by tensions in the Middle East, while building a structural response capable of ensuring long-term energy security and independence.
Immediate support and emergency measures
In practical terms, the package introduces targeted support schemes for vulnerable groups, a temporary adjustment of State aid rules, emergency national measures, the potential release of oil reserves, and the publication of a comprehensive electrification action plan.
The European Green Deal remains the cornerstone
One point is clear: Brussels is not prepared to trade the European Green Deal for short-term political solutions. On the contrary, the direction remains firmly anchored in the energy transition, seen as the only viable response to what is increasingly recognised as a structural fossil fuel crisis.
“The Green Deal has no alternative. Once again, citizens and businesses are paying the price of our dependency,” said Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a clean, just and competitive transition.
The figures reinforce this position. Since the start of the Middle East conflict, the European Union has spent an additional €24 billion on energy imports, largely fossil fuels, despite stable volumes. Even in the event of a rapid de-escalation, disruptions in supply from the Persian Gulf are expected to persist, signalling a new long-term reality.
Measures for consumers under AccelerateEU
The AccelerateEU strategy outlines a range of tools that Member States can deploy to protect both households and industrial users from energy price shocks. These include:
- income support schemes
- energy subsidies, including incentives for boiler replacement
- social tariffs
- reductions in electricity excise duties
- VAT cuts for heat pumps, photovoltaic systems and small-scale storage
- tax incentives for electric vehicles
The plan also emphasises the need to simplify access to energy communities, promote household self-generation, and enable consumers to compare and switch energy suppliers more easily.
Reform of energy taxation and industrial support
Looking ahead, the Commission plans to introduce legislative proposals to revise network charges and energy taxation, aiming to lower electricity bills and promote efficient consumption.
At the same time, financial support for industry will be reinforced through the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, mobilising €100 billion in funding. This includes incentives for energy-intensive sectors financed through 400 million allowances from the EU Emissions Trading System.
A digital platform will also be established to collect and share non-confidential information on national emergency measures, improving coordination and knowledge exchange among Member States.
State aid framework and grid development
Work is ongoing on a new temporary State aid framework, which will provide greater flexibility for national governments to support sectors most exposed to the crisis.
Electrification, however, requires adequate infrastructure. Priority actions include full implementation of existing legislation and the swift conclusion of negotiations on the European grid package.
EU electrification plan under AccelerateEU
By summer 2026, the Commission will launch an EU-wide electrification action plan, setting ambitious targets and measures to remove barriers to electricity use across industry, transport and buildings.
Maximising existing renewable infrastructure is also a priority. Rapid repowering of large wind farms and renewable plants, including offshore wind and hydropower, could deliver immediate relief to the energy system.
Transport measures in the AccelerateEU package
In the transport sector, AccelerateEU focuses primarily on ensuring fuel availability and mitigating price volatility. Key actions include:
- establishing a Fuel Observatory by May 2026 to map supply, stocks and refining capacity
- coordinating emergency reserves to enable the release of jet fuel and diesel
- supporting aviation through regulatory flexibility on airport slots, anti-tankering rules and public service obligations
- revising the Oil Stocks Directive
At the same time, structural measures aim to reduce oil dependency through incentives for electric vehicles, social leasing models, expansion of charging infrastructure and port electrification.
For sectors where electrification remains challenging, the Commission promotes rapid deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and sustainable maritime fuels (SMF), supported by targeted incentives and policy guidance.
Gas storage coordination
Finally, AccelerateEU strengthens coordination on gas storage across Member States, allowing greater flexibility in filling targets.
From April 2026, the Commission will oversee and guide the timing of gas purchases to avoid price spikes caused by simultaneous procurement. Member States are encouraged to use existing flexibility margins of up to 10%, with the possibility of an additional 5% deviation under the updated EU gas storage regulation.
