In this interview on the Open Access Government website, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the European Commission’s Spokesperson for Climate, Energy, Environment, Transport, and Housing, discusses the European Commission’s strategic vision for Europe’s energy future. The European Commission’s energy priorities Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the Spokesperson for Climate, Energy, Environment, Transport, and Housing, outlines the European Commission’s energy priorities … Continue reading Clean energy means security: The European Commission’s energy priorities
Category: European energy policies
46% of EU’s electricity came from renewables in Q1 2026
In the first quarter of 2026, 45.5% of the electricity generated in the EU came from renewable energy sources. This represents an increase from the same quarter of 2025, when the share was 42.7%. Wind was the primary source of renewable electricity in the EU, accounting for 44.9% of the total renewable electricity, against 42.3% in the first … Continue reading 46% of EU’s electricity came from renewables in Q1 2026
Reaction to European Commission’s AccelerateEU plan to increase EU energy independence
To address rising energy costs and further reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets, due to the escalating Middle East conflict, the Commission presented a comprehensive plan of actions and measures on 22 April 2026. An overview of the plan is available here. Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni and Belgium's PM Bart De Wever among those … Continue reading Reaction to European Commission’s AccelerateEU plan to increase EU energy independence
Europe escaped Russian gas — but not energy price shocks
Marzia Sesini, Research Team Leader - Molecules&Materials, European University Institute, and James Kneebone, Doctoral Researcher (D-MTEC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich write on The Conversation website about Europe’s vulnerability in the gas market. It shows the difficulty maneuvring in the energy transition. It also reflects the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels as … Continue reading Europe escaped Russian gas — but not energy price shocks
New EEA briefings on the EU’s second ‘cap and trade’ emissions trading system (ETS2)
The introduction of the EU’s second ‘cap and trade’ emissions trading system (ETS2) for the road transport and buildings sectors will help spur Europe’s decarbonisation ambitions, accelerating the shift to cleaner fuels and technologies. Providing early financial support to vulnerable households and businesses, policy coherency, strong public backing, transparency and clear communication will be key to its success, according to two European Environment Agency (EEA) briefings published … Continue reading New EEA briefings on the EU’s second ‘cap and trade’ emissions trading system (ETS2)
Energy Highways: Germany and Denmark agree on joint development of the Bornholm Energy Island offshore wind project
At the North Sea Summit in Hamburg January 26th, Germany and Denmark reached an agreement on the Bornholm Energy Island project to develop offshore wind energy. This marks a first key delivery of the Energy Highways initiative set out as part of the European Grids Package published in December 2025. A first-of-its kind project, the wind farm links 3 GW … Continue reading Energy Highways: Germany and Denmark agree on joint development of the Bornholm Energy Island offshore wind project
New JRC report finds that energy efficiency was the main driver behind EU energy consumption decrease
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a new report assessing the impact of improved energy efficiency on EU energy consumption between 2010 and 2023. The report found that the 17.1% reduction of primary energy consumption between 2010 and 2023 was mainly the result of two factors: the reduction in final energy demand and … Continue reading New JRC report finds that energy efficiency was the main driver behind EU energy consumption decrease
The European Energy Network has published “Supporting SMEs in the Energy Transition: Insights from European Business Associations”
This EnR report presents an overview of how business associations across 16 European countries are helping Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) advance towards sustainability and net zero. Drawing on survey responses from sectoral business associations and expert interviews, it reveals that while 67% of associations have formal sustainability objectives, only 38% believe SMEs prioritise sustainability … Continue reading The European Energy Network has published “Supporting SMEs in the Energy Transition: Insights from European Business Associations”
New report by the Coalition for Energy Savings
The Coalition for Energy Savings has come out with a useful publication this report that showcases how the EU’s energy efficiency legal framework, in particular the Energy Efficiency Directive, has driven and continues to drive energy efficiency actions that deliver these benefits on the ground In legislative terms, 2040 is just around the corner. With … Continue reading New report by the Coalition for Energy Savings
EEA monitoring of progress to EU energy and climate targets
The European Union remains largely on track to achieve its 2030 targets to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest annual check-up on EU progress to its energy and climate targets published by the European Environment Agency today. Total net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by a further 2.5% in 2024, … Continue reading EEA monitoring of progress to EU energy and climate targets
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 