"DG Energy Newsletter" Newsletter Issues

2023 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen (13/09/2023)

In her speech, President von der Leyen said that a European Wind Power package will be put forward and that the future of our clean tech industry – from wind to steel, from batteries to electric vehicles – has to be made in Europe.

Eurobarometer: Europeans approve measures taken to tackle the energy crisis (11/09/2023)

The Flash Eurobarometer survey published on 11 September shows an overwhelming support among Europeans for the measures taken over the last year to protect consumers and companies from volatility of energy prices, as well as action to foster energy security and the green transition.

Critical Infrastructure: Commission proposes a Blueprint to improve response to disruptive cross-border incidents (11/09/2023)

On 6 September, the Commission proposed a Council Recommendation for a Critical Infrastructure Blueprint that will enhance the EU's coordination in response to attempts to disrupt our critical infrastructure.

9% of EU population unable to keep home warm in 2022 (11/09/2023)

In 2022, 9.3% of the EU population declared that they were not able to keep their home adequately warm. Compared with 2021, this share increased by 2.4 percentage points.

EU reaches 90% gas storage target ahead of winter (11/09/2023)

By mid-August, the EU reached its target of filling gas storage facilities to 90% of capacity, roughly two and a half months ahead of the November 1 deadline.

EU Building Stock Observatory: monitoring the energy performance of buildings across Europe (11/09/2023)

The Commission has launched a new, improved version of the EU Building Stock Observatory (EU BSO), a web tool that monitors energy performance and decarbonisation-related buildings data for all EU countries.

Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania agree to synchronise their electricity grids with the European grid by early 2025 (11/09/2023)

The Commission welcomed the agreement reached by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on 3 August to accelerate the integration of their electricity grids with the Continental Europe network and their disconnection from Russia and Belarus.

Energy Security Conference on 'Achieving winter preparedness in turbulent times' (14/09/2023) (14/09/2023)

Speech by Commissioner Simson at Energy Security Conference on 'Achieving winter preparedness in turbulent times'

ENTSO-E's High-Level Forum on the 'Future of our grids: accelerating Europe's energy transition' (07/09/2023) (12/09/2023)

Keynote closing speech by Commissioner Simson at ENTSO-E's High-Level Forum on the 'Future of our grids: accelerating Europe's energy transition'

Heat pumps – the heating solution for a clean energy transition (11/09/2023)

Want to know what heat pumps are, how they work and the kind of buildings they are for? This short video clip is available in EN with subtitles in 22 languages.

Coming soon: New video on nuclear power (14/09/2023)

Our new video clip on nuclear power will be out next week on our YouTube channel.

EPAH: International annual conference on energy poverty (19/09/2023)

EPAH: International annual conference on energy poverty

Workshop: Financing the energy renovation of buildings (19/09/2023)

Workshop: Financing the energy renovation of buildings

Fourth meeting of the Equality Platform for the energy sector (26/09/2023)

Fourth meeting of the Equality Platform for the energy sector

Industrial carbon management: Results of the public consultation (06/10/2023)

Industrial carbon management: Results of the public consultation

Stakeholder forum IV: heat pumps action plan (09/10/2023)

Stakeholder forum IV: heat pumps action plan

AIDRES - Assessment and geo-mapping of renewable energy demand for technological paths towards carbon neutrality of EU energy-intensive industries (13/09/2023)

AIDRES - Assessment and geo-mapping of renewable energy demand for technological paths towards carbon neutrality of EU energy-intensive industries

BRIDGE report on energy data exchange reference architecture 3.0 (11/09/2023)

BRIDGE report on energy data exchange reference architecture 3.0

BRIDGE - Interoperability of home appliances (11/09/2023)

BRIDGE - Interoperability of home appliances

ETIP SNET - Hydrogen’s impact on grids (14/09/2023)

ETIP SNET - Hydrogen’s impact on grids

ETIP SNET R&I implementation plan 2025+ (06/09/2023)

ETIP SNET R&I implementation plan 2025+

Save Energy is the theme for the 2023 Mobility Week (13/09/2023)

This year's event, which will take place between 16 and 22 September, will look at why it is important to save energy through sustainable urban mobility.

Eurobarometer: Europeans show strong support for the EU energy policy and for EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and more optimism regarding economy (10/07/2023)

The latest Standard Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2023 shows that EU citizens continue to back overwhelmingly the energy transition and to expect massive investment in renewables.

European Commission proposes a coordinated EU withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (10/07/2023)

This Treaty is largely unchanged since it was agreed in the 1990s, and is no longer compatible with the EU’s enhanced climate ambition under the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement.

EU-U.S. Task Force on Energy Security reviews the progress on energy security situation (10/07/2023)

The EU-U.S. Task Force on Energy Security met virtually on 6 July 2023 to discuss the implementation of the 25 March 2022 Joint Statement by Presidents Biden and von der Leyen, as well as their commitment of 10 March 2023 to continue to work together to advance energy security and sustainability in Europe.

CEF Energy: two studies selected for funding under cross-border renewables (11/07/2023)

Following the publication of the 2022 CEF Energy call for works and studies for cross-border renewable energy (CB RES) projects, opened for applications until 23 February 2023, two projects have been selected requesting a total of EUR 22,1 million of EU funding.

EU exchange programme for collaboration between coal regions in transition draws to a close (29/06/2023)

Spanning two rounds of exchanges which took place between November 2021 and June 2023, the programme helped set up 17 exchanges among a total of 24 transitioning coal+ regions across the EU.

Commissioner Simson hosts launch event with International Renewable Energy Agency Director-General to discuss new report on smart electrification (22/06/2023)

The ‘Innovation Landscape for Smart Electrification' report provides a toolbox for governments of 100 innovative solutions to tailor national strategies and cut emissions in end-uses of energy.

Renewable hydrogen production: new rules formally adopted (21/06/2023)

On 20 June, the Commission published the two delegated acts outlining detailed rules on the EU definition of renewable hydrogen, following the end of the period of scrutiny for the European Parliament and Council.

Circular economy: New rules to make phones and tablets more durable, energy efficient and easier to repair, enabling sustainable choices by consumers (21/06/2023)

On 16 June, the Commission proposed new rules to help consumers make informed and sustainable choices when purchasing mobile and cordless phones, and tablets, under the existing EU Energy Labelling Regulation.

Preliminary 2022 data for energy show mixed trends (10/07/2023)

Preliminary data for 2022 show that, after 2021 saw an increase in the supply of all products (hard and brown coal, natural gas, petroleum products and nuclear), there was a sharp drop in 2022 for nuclear and natural gas, while brown coal and petroleum products continued increasing.

EU slashes Russian oil; emergency stocks up (21/06/2023)

In March 2023, the total imports of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia into the EU decreased to 1.4 million tonnes (Mt) compared with the average monthly figure of 15.2 Mt in the three years from 2019 to 2022 (-90%).

Coal production and consumption up in 2022 (28/06/2023)

Coal production and consumption up in 2022

Opening speech at the 2023 European Sustainable Energy Week (28/06/2023)

Opening speech at the 2023 European Sustainable Energy Week

Keynote speech at COGEN Europe's Annual Conference (11/07/2023)

Keynote speech at COGEN Europe's Annual Conference

International Annual Conference on Energy Poverty in Warsaw (19/09/2023)

International Annual Conference on Energy Poverty in Warsaw

Call for evidence: Energy Union and climate action – Review report on the Governance Regulation (06/07/2023)

Energy Union and climate action – Review report on the Governance Regulation

Heat pumps – action plan to accelerate roll-out across the EU (12/06/2023)

Heat pumps – action plan to accelerate roll-out across the EU

Industrial carbon management – carbon capture, utilisation and storage deployment (12/06/2023)

Industrial carbon management – carbon capture, utilisation and storage deployment

Cooking appliances - energy labelling requirements (12/06/2023)

Cooking appliances - energy labelling requirements

Assessment of the energy footprint of digital actions and services (28/06/2023)

Assessment of the energy footprint of digital actions and services

Bridge - Exploration of citizen engagement methodologies in European R&I projects 3.0 (22/06/2023)

Exploration of citizen engagement methodologies in European R&I projects 3.0

Bridge - Investigation of relationship of use cases and cross-domain business models. Report on topic 1 (11/07/2023)

Bridge - Investigation of relationship of use cases and cross-domain business models. Report on topic 1

ENTEC - Regulatory sandboxes in the energy sector - Final report (10/07/2023)

Regulatory sandboxes in the energy sector - Final report

ENTEC - Regulatory sandboxes in the energy sector - Terms of reference (10/07/2023)

Regulatory sandboxes in the energy sector - Terms of reference

The European Commission offers photos and videos for use free of charge (22/06/2023)

The audiovisual material (photos, videos and audios) made available on the website of the Audiovisual Service of the European Commission is offered free of charge for EU-related information and education purposes. Users are just requested to refer to the credit which accompanies each individual file.

In focus: EU energy policy for energy independence (14/06/2023)

In this interview, Pierre Schellekens, Director for Energy policy: strategy and coordination at the Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, talks about how the REPowerEU plan has contributed to an important shift for the EU’s clean energy transition and energy independence.

European Sustainable Energy week 2023 is just around the corner (13/06/2023)

Europe’s largest annual conference on renewables and energy efficiency takes place in Brussels and online next week from 20 to 22 June. The theme of this year’s conference is Accelerating the clean energy transition - towards lower bills and greater skills.

Commission adopts new implementing act to improve access to metering and consumption data (06/06/2023)

The new rules aim to further protect consumers and empower them through digitalisation to be more active in the energy transition.

Defence and energy communities step up efforts on sustainable energy and publish new ground-breaking climate change study (14/06/2023)

The study analyses the impact of climate change on defence-related critical energy infrastructure and identifies approaches for climate resilience and multinational collaboration, contributing to EU's 2050 climate neutrality goals.

Emergency energy measures facilitated market improvement (05/06/2023)

In a report on the review of emergency interventions to address high energy prices submitted to the Council on 5 June, the Commission finds that the temporary, emergency measures introduced for the energy market at the end of last year contributed to a calming of the European energy markets, alongside the other emergency proposals adopted in 2022.

Secondary legislation clarifies contribution of biofuels to renewables target in transport (13/06/2023)

New rules on how to calculate the contribution of biofuels and biogas in blended transport fuel to the EU renewable energy target in transport have been adopted by the Commission on 5 June.

Commission further integrates Ukraine into EU Single Market through the Connecting Europe Facility for infrastructure funding (12/06/2023)

This agreement will enable Ukrainian project promoters to apply for EU funding for projects of common interest in the transport, energy and digital realms, further improving Ukraine's connectivity with its EU neighbours.

European Green Deal: EU Modernisation Fund invests €2.4 billion to accelerate the green transition in seven EU countries (12/06/2023)

On 8 June, the European Union's Modernisation Fund disbursed €2.4 billion to 31 projects in seven beneficiary countries to help modernise their energy systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy, industry and transport, and improve energy efficiency.

EU-Moldova Energy Dialogue reaffirms close cooperation (23/05/2023)

The Commission reaffirmed its support for Moldova and its energy sector at the fourth EU-Moldova High-Level Energy Dialogue which took place in Brussels on 23 May.

Opening address at the 9th Energy Infrastructure Forum (12 June 2023) (13/06/2023)

Opening address at the 9th Energy Infrastructure Forum

Speech at the IEA's 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency Opening Plenary (8 June 2023) (12/06/2023)

Speech at the IEA's 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency Opening Plenary

Webinar ‘Regions seizing coal phase-out as an opportunity for economic development’ (14/06/2023)

Webinar ‘Regions seizing coal phase-out as an opportunity for economic development’

Stakeholder forum II: heat pumps action plan (16/06/2023)

Stakeholder forum II: heat pumps action plan

Energy Transition Expertise Centre workshop II: energy data space (20/06/2023)

Energy Transition Expertise Centre workshop II: energy data space

European Sustainable Energy Week 2023 (20/06/2023)

Under the theme “Accelerating the clean energy transition – towards lower bills and greater skills”, the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2023 will take place in Brussels and online.

Collecting and monitoring data on energy efficiency investments and financing across EU Member States and targeted economic sectors (30/05/2023)

Collecting and monitoring data on energy efficiency investments and financing across EU Member States and targeted economic sectors

Implementation of nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response requirements in EU Member States and neighbouring countries (05/06/2023)

Implementation of nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response requirements in EU Member States and neighbouring countries

Technical support for RES policy development and implementation – simplification of permission and administrative procedures for RES installations (RES Simplify) (12/06/2023)

Technical support for RES policy development and implementation – simplification of permission andadministrative procedures for RES installations (RES Simplify)

Laura, project manager in France (12/06/2023)

Meet Laura, a project manager in France, who advises companies and industries on how to save energy and improve their efficiency.

Paula, energy advisor in Croatia (12/06/2023)

Paula shows vulnerable people how to insulate their home with small changes that make a big difference in their energy consumption and bills.

Have your say on the EU’s climate target for 2040 (23/05/2023)

Have your say on the EU’s climate target for 2040

Catharina Sikow-Magny, Director for Green Transition and Energy System Integration (16/05/2023)

DG ENER’s Director for the Green Transition & Energy System Integration, Catharina Sikow-Magny reflects on the situation for renewables in the context of the energy crisis – the recently agreed changes to the renewables directive, and the prospects for hydrogen and biomethane. She also explains how previous infrastructure investment helped the EU respond to the energy crisis last year and the priorities for future investment. Finally, she shares her thoughts on the Electricity Market Design proposal and ongoing moves to push for action on methane emissions.

EU Energy Platform: EU attracted over 13.4 bcm of gas in first joint gas purchasing tender (16/05/2023)

By leveraging its collective economic weight, the EU managed to attract bids from a total number of 25 supplying companies equivalent to more than 13.4 billion cubic meters of gas (bcm) – surpassing the 11.6 bcm of joint demand that EU companies submitted through the recently established AggregateEU mechanism.

Spring 2023 Economic Forecast: An improved outlook amid persistent challenges (15/05/2023)

Lower energy prices in recent months have been a significant factor in supporting moderate growth in the EU economy so far this year.

Commission launches a large-scale skills partnership for energy-intensive industries (11/05/2023)

The aim of this partnership is to identify skill needs and develop appropriate curricula and training programmes to ensure that the energy-intensive industries workforce has the right skills for them to remain leaders in the green and digital transition.

European Green Deal: New EU-Norway Green Alliance to deepen cooperation on climate, environment, energy and clean industry (24/04/2023)

On 24 April, the EU and Norway established a Green Alliance to strengthen their joint climate action, environmental protection efforts, and cooperation on the clean energy and industrial transition.

€99 million available for funding project ideas for the Clean Energy Transition (15/05/2023)

The LIFE Call for Proposals 2023 is inviting stakeholders actively working on accelerating the clean energy transition and decarbonising Europe to submit their project ideas until 16 November 2023.

CEF Energy launches €750 million call for energy infrastructure projects (24/04/2023)

The new call addresses studies and works for PCIs and it will be open until 5 September 2023.

CEF Energy: EU invests in preparatory studies for offshore wind farm in the Northern Adriatic Sea (11/05/2023)

One project has been selected requesting EUR 252.500 of EU funding for preparatory studies that will help to assess the feasibility of a potential offshore wind farm of a capacity of approx. 300 MW.

7% of EU population unable to keep home warm in 2021 (16/05/2023)

The situation varied across the EU countries, with the largest share of people unable to keep their home adequately warm reported in Bulgaria (24%), Lithuania (23%), Cyprus (19%), Greece (18%) and Portugal (16%).

EU gas consumption decreased by 17.7% (24/04/2023)

The EU consumption of natural gas has dropped by 17.7% in the period August 2022-March 2023, compared with the average gas consumption for the same months between 2017 and 2022.

Keynote speech at the launch of the Energy Storage Coalition (4 May 2023) (15/05/2023)

Keynote speech at the launch of the Energy Storage Coalition (4 May 2023)

Remarks at the North Sea Summit in Ostende (24 April 2023) (25/04/2023)

Remarks at the North Sea Summit in Ostende (24 April 2023)

17th EMA network meeting (24/05/2023)

17th EMA network meeting

Stakeholder forum I: heat pumps action plan (25/05/2023)

Stakeholder forum I: heat pumps action plan

Webinar ‘Opportunities to finance energy transitions’ (25/05/2023)

Webinar ‘Opportunities to finance energy transitions’

Clean energy for EU islands Forum 2023 (07/06/2023)

Clean energy for EU islands Forum 2023

38th meeting of the European Electricity Regulatory Forum (08/06/2023)

38th meeting of the European Electricity Regulatory Forum

9th Energy Infrastructure Forum (12/06/2023)

9th Energy Infrastructure Forum

Ecodesign preparatory study for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) (11/05/2023)

Ecodesign preparatory study for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS)

Technical assistance for ensuring optimal performance of technical building systems under the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2018/844 (11/05/2023)

Technical assistance for ensuring optimal performance of technical building systems under the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2018/844

EU regulation for the development of the market for CO2 transport and storage (15/05/2023)

EU regulation for the development of the market for CO2 transport and storage

Multi-supplier models and decentralized energy systems (15/05/2023)

Multi-supplier models and decentralized energy systems

REPowerEU first anniversary (15/05/2023)

On 18 May it will be one year since the EU presented the REPowerEU Plan to end our dependency on Russian fossil fuels and diversify our energy sources. We have since built partnerships with more reliable energy partners including Norway and the U.S and filled Europe’s gas reserves to record high levels. One year on, not only have we ensured a secure energy supply and shielded our citizens from the worst of the market volatility, we have doubled-down on our Green Deal and energy efficiency commitments.

Heat pumps – action plan to accelerate roll-out across the EU (Call for evidence) (11/05/2023)

Heat pumps – action plan to accelerate roll-out across the EU (Call for evidence)

Cooking appliances - energy labelling requirements (Call for evidence) (11/05/2023)

Cooking appliances - energy labelling requirements (Call for evidence)

Cooking appliances – ecodesign requirements (Call for evidence) (11/05/2023)

Cooking appliances – ecodesign requirements (Call for evidence)

Consultation on Swedish market reform plan (11/05/2023)

Consultation on Swedish market reform plan

EU Energy Platform: the first call for placing demand to buy gas to open on 25 April (18/04/2023)

This requires that interested companies from EU countries and the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community finalise their registration with the service provider and subscribe to the AggregateEU service by 20 April.

Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode (17/04/2023)

By requiring reduced electricity consumption of products when they are in low power mode, the Commission estimates that annual energy savings of 4 TWh will be generated by 2030.

European Green Deal: EU agrees stronger legislation to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy (30/03/2023)

The agreement on 30 March raises the EU's binding renewable target for 2030 to a minimum of 42.5%, up from the current 32% target and almost doubling the existing share of renewable energy in the EU.

The Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism sees first tender established (17/04/2023)

The tender is organised in the framework of the renewable energy financing mechanism and builds on the commitments by Luxembourg and Finland to cooperate under this new instrument.

EU-US Energy Council reiterates importance of bilateral cooperation (04/04/2023)

The Energy Council Ministerial Meeting was held in Brussels on 4 April to discuss energy security in Europe, joint decarbonisation efforts and how to further enhance cooperation in the energy sector.

EU-US Task Force on Energy Security: one year on (04/04/2023)

The report confirms that in 2022 the United States exported 56 billion cubic meters (bcm) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU - up from 22 bcm in 2021.

Commission extends Market Correction Mechanism to other trading hubs (31/03/2023)

The Commission adopted this measure on 31 March in order to provide an even broader shield from high and volatile gas prices.

Pact for Skills: Launch of large-scale renewable energy skills partnership (21/03/2023)

On 21 March, renewable energy trade associations and representatives of installers of clean technologies, with the support of the European Commission, set up a large-scale skills partnership for the renewable energy industrial ecosystem.

Preparing for the next winter starts now: Commission proposes to prolong the gas demand reduction measures (21/03/2023)

The Commission proposed on 20 March to prolong emergency legislation on measures to reduce gas demand by 15% for another 12 months.

European Hydrogen Bank aims to stimulate investment in renewable hydrogen (16/03/2023)

The initiative published on 16 March is aimed at accelerating investment to help end imports of Russian fossil fuels and achieve carbon-neutrality.

Commission report underlines positive impact of the gas storage regulation (27/03/2023)

EU countries made ‘substantial and unprecedented efforts’ to refill their gas storage facilities in 2022, surpassing the legislative 80% EU-wide storage level target and reaching 94.9% by 1 November 2022.

Eurostat publication: shedding light on energy (16/03/2023)

The 2023 edition helps to make the complex process of energy more understandable.

Renewables: main source of energy production in 2021 (04/04/2023)

In 2021, the largest contributing source to primary energy production in the EU was renewable energy (41% of total EU energy production). This has been the case since 2016, when renewables surpassed nuclear for the first time.

Opening remarks at the press conference following the Energy Council (28 March 2023) (29/03/2023)

Opening remarks by Commissioner Simson at the press conference following the Energy Council

Speech at the European Economic and Social Committee Plenary Session on the way forward for EU energy policy (22 March 2023) (04/04/2023)

Speech by Commissioner Simson at the European Economic and Social Committee Plenary Session on the way forward for EU energy policy

Third meeting of the Equality Platform for the energy sector (20/04/2023)

On 20 April, Platform members and signatories will meet in Brussels for the third time.

High-level conference: Looking at the future of the Energy Union, beyond the crisis (20/04/2023)

High-level conference: Looking at the future of the Energy Union, beyond the crisis

Webinar ‘Energy transition and air quality: solutions and good practices’ (27/04/2023)

Webinar ‘Energy transition and air quality: solutions and good practices’

37th Madrid Forum (11/05/2023)

37th Madrid Forum

Latest METIS 2 studies on the European energy system for electricity, gas, hydrogen and heat (13/04/2023)

Latest METIS 2 studies on the European energy system for electricity, gas, hydrogen and heat

Study providing analytical support for the financial instruments and programmes to facilitate investment in the energy sector (21/03/2023)

Study providing analytical support for the financial instruments and programmes to facilitate investment in the energy sector

ENTEC - Competitiveness of system integration elements (21/03/2023)

ENTEC - Competitiveness of system integration elements

Study on radioactive waste classification schemes in the European Union (17/04/2023)

Study on radioactive waste classification schemes in the European Union

ETIP SNET: Energy storage systems - KPI assessment and prioritisation of R&I targets (22/03/2023)

ETIP SNET: Energy storage systems - KPI assessment and prioritisation of R&I targets

Advancing district heating & cooling solutions and uptake in European cities (27/03/2023)

Advancing district heating & cooling solutions and uptake in European cities

Gerrit-Jan, machine operator in the Netherlands (17/04/2023)

This former bricklayer now builds panels that insulate buildings' facades, improve their energy performance, and save in energy bills.

Florian, product expert in a laboratory in Germany (17/04/2023)

This head of laboratory tests lightning and other consumer electronic products to make sure they comply with EU ecodesign and energy label rules.

Priority list for the development of gas network codes and guidelines for 2023 (and beyond) (15/02/2023)

Priority list for the development of gas network codes and guidelines for 2023 (and beyond)

New product priorities for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (31/01/2023)

New product priorities for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products

Cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy (21/04/2023)

The survey aims to gather information from stakeholders interested in funding opportunities and future calls on cross-border RES projects. It is open until 21 April.

Commission proposes reform of the EU electricity market design (14/03/2023)

The Commission proposed on 14 March to reform the EU's electricity market design to boost renewables, better protect consumers and enhance industrial competitiveness.

Commission recommendations on how to exploit the potential of energy storage (14/03/2023)

On 14 March, the Commission published a series of recommendations on energy storage, with concrete actions that EU countries can take to ensure its greater deployment.

Commission welcomes Enel's donation of 3Sun solar PV panels to Ukraine (14/03/2023)

On 3 March, by launching the project “Ray of hope” with Enel, the Commission took a first step as part of the wider initiative announced by President von der Leyen on donations of solar panels to Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv on 2 February 2023.

Hydrogen Valleys: European Commission signs joint declaration with European stakeholders to boost the EU hydrogen economy (06/03/2023)

The Commission and key stakeholders signed on 1 March a joint declaration highlighting the crucial role of sustained efforts in renewable hydrogen research and innovation.

Commission welcomes commitment by Finland and Luxembourg to the Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism (28/02/2023)

The announcement on 27 February followed an invitation by the Commission to all EU countries last year to participate in the mechanism and a series of detailed discussions with interested parties.

Commission wraps up project with the International Energy Agency that helped Member States curb their reliance on Russia’s fossil fuels (28/02/2023)

The project provided advice and capacity building to identify and undertake specific reforms and investments in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency, renewable hydrogen production, and innovative solutions to decarbonise the industry in line with the REPowerEU objectives.

Shrinking market shares for largest EU energy companies (14/03/2023)

The market shares of the largest electricity and gas producers in the EU have been decreasing in most countries since 2013 when Eurostat started collecting this data.

EU gas consumption decreased by 19% (28/02/2023)

The EU consumption of natural gas has dropped by 19.3% in the period August 2022-January 2023, compared with the average gas consumption for the same months between 2017 and 2022.

Need to heat buildings down by a fifth since 1979 (28/02/2023)

The need to heat a given building has decreased over time: only 81% of the heating needs were required in 2022 compared with 1979.

Opening remarks by Commissioner Simson at the press conference on the reform of the EU's electricity market design (14/03/2023)

Opening remarks by Commissioner Simson at the press conference on the reform of the EU's electricity market design

Remarks by Commissioner Simson in the ITRE Committee of the European Parliament on One Year of REPowerEU (09/03/2023)

Remarks by Commissioner Simson in the ITRE Committee of the European Parliament on One Year of REPowerEU

Speech by President von der Leyen on the occasion of launching the storage of CO2 in the first full value chain Carbon Capture Storage project in the EU (14/03/2023)

Speech by President von der Leyen on the occasion of launching the storage of CO2 in the first full value chain Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) project in the EU (Project Greensand), via video message

Smart Cities Marketplace Matchmaking Event (21/03/2023)

Smart Cities Marketplace Matchmaking Event

Smart Readiness Indicator - 3rd plenary meeting (22/03/2023)

This third plenary meeting aims to provide an update about the SRI on EU policy and an overview of key activities conducted by the SRI support team.

Investors Dialogues on Energy: Electricity Market Design (28/03/2023)

Investors Dialogues on Energy: Electricity Market Design

Cities on the Frontline of the Energy Crisis: the Covenant of Mayors Europe 2023 Conference (30/03/2023)

This year’s conference will focus on the local response to the energy crisis, discussing how it has shown that cities are frontrunners of Europe’s energy transition, and how these efforts can become long-term strategies to redefine lifestyles in the face of climate change.

Overview of heating and cooling - Perceptions, markets and regulatory frameworks for decarbonisation (14/03/2023)

Overview of heating and cooling

ENTEC - Study on energy storage (14/03/2023)

Study on energy storage

Technical assistance to assess the potential of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin as well as recycled carbon fuels (28/02/2023)

Technical assistance to assess the potential of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin as well as recycled carbon fuels

BRIDGE Regulation working group - Annual report 2021 (14/02/2023)

BRIDGE Regulation working group - Annual report 2021

Foresight study on the worldwide developments in advancing fusion energy, including the small scale private initiatives (28/02/2023)

Foresight study on the worldwide developments in advancing fusion energy, including the small scale private initiatives

Environmental radioactivity in the European Community 2012-2014 (28/02/2023)

Environmental radioactivity in the European Community 2012-2014

Commission sets out rules for renewable hydrogen (14/02/2023)

On 13 February, the Commission proposed detailed rules to define what constitutes renewable hydrogen in the EU, with the adoption of two Delegated Acts required under the Renewable Energy Directive.

The Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council 9th Ministerial Meeting and the Green Energy Advisory Council 1st Ministerial Meeting (08/02/2023)

The meetings held on 3 February in Baku reaffirmed the strategic energy partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union.

Start of construction works launched on the Bulgarian section of the gas interconnector Bulgaria - Serbia (08/02/2023)

On 1 February, the construction activities on the Bulgarian section of the gas interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia have been inaugurated. It is recognised as an EU Project of Common Interest.

EU countries agree new ambition for expanding offshore renewable energy (08/02/2023)

On 19 January, EU countries agreed on new, ambitious long-term goals for the deployment of offshore renewable energy up to 2050 in each of the EU’s five sea basins, with intermediate objectives to be achieved by 2030 and 2040.

Joint gas purchasing: The ad hoc Steering Board of the EU Energy Platform meets for the first time (08/02/2023)

In its first meeting on 16 January, participants discussed the process of creating a consortium or consortia open to gas companies and gas consumers, with a view to jointly negotiating with international gas suppliers and securing better prices for European consumers.

Innovation Fund: grant agreements signed with further 16 innovative large-scale projects (08/02/2023)

The European Union has granted EUR 1.8 billion through its Innovation Fund to 16 innovative projects that will avoid about 125 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in the first 10 years of operation.

Electricity from renewable sources on the rise (08/02/2023)

In absolute terms, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources increased by almost 5% from 2020 to 2021.

22% of energy consumed in 2021 came from renewables (08/02/2023)

The share of gross final energy consumption from renewable sources at EU level reached 21.8% in 2021. Compared with 2020, this was a 0.3 percentage points decrease and the first decrease ever recorded.

Fossil fuels stabilised at 70% of energy use in 2021 (08/02/2023)

The EU continues to largely rely on fossil fuels for its overall energy supply, as illustrated by the ratio of fossil fuels in gross available energy (the total energy demand of a country or region).

Heating and cooling from renewables gradually increasing (08/02/2023)

Energy for heating and cooling represents almost 50% of the EU’s total gross final energy consumption. In absolute terms, the gross final consumption of renewable energy for heating and cooling purposes in the EU has gradually increased over time.

Speech at the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council (14/02/2023)

Speech at the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council

Opening speech at the Egypt Petroleum Show 2023 Strategic Conference (14/02/2023)

Opening speech at the Egypt Petroleum Show 2023 Strategic Conference

Stakeholder meeting to conclude the public consultation on electricity market design (15/02/2023)

Stakeholder meeting to conclude the public consultation on electricity market design

Technical assistance services to assess the energy savings potentials at national and European level (08/02/2023)

Technical assistance services to assess the energy savings potentials at national and European level

Update on energy price assumptions on economic potential savings (08/02/2023)

Update on energy price assumptions on economic potential savings

AC/DC hybrid grid modelling enabling a high share of Renewables (08/02/2023)

AC/DC hybrid grid modelling enabling a high share of Renewables

Study on regulatory barriers and recommendation for clean energy transition on EU islands (08/02/2023)

Study on regulatory barriers and recommendation for clean energy transition on EU islands

BRIDGE - Action#1: Set up a use case repository 2.0 (14/02/2023)

BRIDGE - Action#1: Set up a use case repository 2.0

BRIDGE - European (energy) data exchange reference architecture 2.0 (14/02/2023)

BRIDGE - European (energy) data exchange reference architecture 2.0

Exploration of citizen engagement methodologies in European R&I projects (08/02/2023)

Exploration of citizen engagement methodologies in European R&I projects

Study providing analytical support for the financial instruments and programmes to facilitate investment in the energy sector (08/02/2023)

Study providing analytical support for the financial instruments and programmes to facilitate investment in the energy sector

EU gas consumption down by 20.1% (22/12/2022)

The EU consumption of natural gas has dropped by 20.1% in the period August-November 2022, compared with the average gas consumption for the same months between 2017 and 2021.

New reports highlight 3rd quarter impact of gas supply cut (13/01/2023)

The new gas and electricity market reports for 3rd quarter 2022 highlight the impact of gas supply cuts and that renewable energy increased its share to 39%.

Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Simson in Abu Dhabi for the IRENA Assembly and COP28 preparations (13/01/2023)

On 14 and 15 January, the Commission will be represented by Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, and Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, at the International Renewable Energy Agency Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

CEF Energy: 2023 call for cross-border renewable energy projects to obtain the status (10/01/2023)

The second call for projects to obtain cross-border renewable energy status is open until 3 May 2023.

Commission welcomes cooperation between ENTSO-E and EU DSO Entity on the digital electricity grid twin (22/12/2022)

The signature of the declaration of intent for the creation of a digital twin of the European electricity grid by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for electricity and the association of European distribution system operators took place on 20 December.

2021 Ecodesign Impact Accounting report (22/12/2022)

The 2021 Ecodesign Impact Accounting report shows that EU ecodesign and energy labelling rules are estimated to have reduced our primary energy use by around 10% along with substantial climate and other environmental benefits.

EU Energy Platform: Work advances on joint gas purchasing after legal proposal is agreed by Energy Ministers (22/12/2022)

The European Commission convened on 20 December a high-level industrial roundtable to support the work of the EU Energy Platform in further advancing on joint gas purchasing which is due to kick off in 2023.

North Seas Energy Cooperation and UK establish cooperation framework to facilitate the development of offshore renewable energy (20/12/2022)

On 18 December, Energy ministers from the members of the North Seas Energy Cooperation, the Commissioner for Energy and the UK Energy Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in favour of cost-effective and sustainable offshore renewable energy.

Press remarks at the Energy Council (19 December 2022) (20/12/2022)

Press remarks by Commissioner Simson at the Energy Council

QuADRANT - a European study on Clinical Audit of Medical Radiological Procedures (13/01/2023)

Current status and recommendations for improving uptake and implementation of Clinical Audit of Medical Radiological Procedures

Methodologies for assessing costs and benefits of candidate hydrogen projects under the revised TEN-E Regulation – 2022 (20/01/2023)

Targeted consultation on methodologies for assessing costs and benefits of candidate hydrogen projects under the revised TEN-E Regulation – 2022.

In focus: Energy communities to transform the EU’s energy system (13/12/2022)

The collective dimension of citizen engagement can particularly contribute not only to a ‘smarter’ energy use, but also to increasing the EU’s renewable energy production.

Enhanced crisis response: strong push for consumer protection this winter (12/12/2022)

Supported by the European Commission, key stakeholders representing consumers and the energy sector committed on 12 December to protect Europeans struggling to pay their energy bills this winter.

Statement by President von der Leyen on ‘REPowerEU: outlook on EU gas supply in 2023' (13/12/2022)

Statement by President von der Leyen on ‘REPowerEU: outlook on EU gas supply in 2023'

Standing with the Ukrainian people: EU delivers further energy support for the winter (13/12/2022)

At a conference in Paris on 13 December, President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new EU delivery of urgently needed power generators to Ukraine, the setting up of a rescEU health and energy hub in Poland, and the donation of energy saving lightbulbs.

REPowerEU: New industrial Alliance to boost the EU's solar power and energy security (12/12/2022)

The Commission together with industrial actors, research institutes, associations and other relevant parties launched the European Solar PV Industry Alliance on 9 December.

Connecting Europe Facility: over € 600 million for cross-border energy infrastructure (09/12/2022)

On 8 December, EU Member States gave green light to a Commission proposal to invest €602 million of EU funds in eight cross-border energy infrastructure projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Trans-European Networks for Energy.

EU and Japan step up cooperation on hydrogen (09/12/2022)

The EU and Japan have intensified their cooperation on hydrogen with the signature on 2 December of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to spur innovation and develop an international hydrogen market.

Celtic Interconnector between Ireland and France: Next milestone reached (28/11/2022)

France and Ireland have taken a further important step in constructing the Celtic Interconnector, an underwater electricity connection linking the two EU countries. The contract signature for this EU Project of Common Interest (PCI) took place on 25 November.

Commission sets trajectories for filling gas storage in 2023 (28/11/2022)

The Commission set out on 22 November the intermediate gas storage filling targets that Member States should meet next year in order to reach the 90% gas storage target by 1 November 2023.

Commission proposes a new EU instrument to limit excessive gas price spikes (22/11/2022)

The Commission proposed on 22 November a Market Correction Mechanism to protect EU businesses and households from episodes of excessively high gas prices in the EU.

COP27: EU and Egypt step up cooperation on the clean energy transition (22/11/2022)

At COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, on 16 November, the EU and Egypt took a further step to boost their long-term cooperation on the clean energy transition by establishing a strategic partnership on renewable hydrogen and preparing the ground for a just energy transition in Egypt.

LIFE Programme: €380 million for 168 new green projects all around Europe (23/11/2022)

67 projects will be devoted to improving market and regulatory conditions in the EU for the clean energy transition, notably promoting and rolling out energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy solutions.

Opening remarks at the press conference of the Extraordinary Energy Council 13/12/2022 (14/12/2022)

Opening remarks by Commissioner Simson at the press conference of the Extraordinary Energy Council, 13 December 2022

Opening remarks at the press conference on a Market Correction Mechanism to limit excessive gas price spikes 22/11/2022 (12/12/2022)

Opening remarks by Commissioner Simson at the press conference on a Market Correction Mechanism to limit excessive gas price spikes.

First Plenary Meeting of the Investors Dialogue on Energy (10/01/2023)

The First Plenary Meeting of the Investors Dialogue on Energy aims to update stakeholders on the work of the platform, looking in particular at developments and initiatives related to the implementation of the REPowerEU plan.

Ecodesign impact accounting annual report 2021 (12/12/2022)

The Ecodesign Impact Accounting collects, elaborates and sums data for all products regulated under Ecodesign, Energy Labelling, ENERGY STAR and Tyre Labelling.

Further improvements of energy efficiency in industry - Final report (12/12/2022)

The EEFIG Working Group on Industry assessed the main obstacles and drivers for improved energy efficiency in industry, identified best practices, and developed recommendations for industry, financial institutions and policy makers.

White Paper “Coupling of Heating/Cooling and Electricity Sectors in a Renewable Energy-Driven Europe” (28/11/2022)

This White Paper focuses on the implications of coupling the electricity, heating and cooling vectors as a vital part of efficiently decarbonising the whole European energy sector.

Macroeconomic modelling studies (01/12/2022)

To better understand the links between energy use and macroeconomic aggregates, such as economic growth, employment and household income, and estimate its impact, the Commission initiated a project in 2019 and its deliverables were published in November 2022.

Promotion of e-mobility through buildings policy - Final report (12/12/2022)

This study aims to identify lessons learned from existing legislative and non-legislative measures, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, to support the integration of e-mobility infrastructure into the EU building stock and promote the use of EVs.

Assessment of the potential for new feedstocks for the production of advanced biofuels (14/12/2022)

Assessment of the potential for new feedstocks for the production of advanced biofuels

Analysis of actual land availability in the EU; trends in unused, abandoned and degraded (non-)agricultural land and use for energy and other non-food crops (14/12/2022)

Analysis of actual land availability in the EU; trends in unused, abandoned and degraded (non-)agricultural land and use for energy and other non-food crops

Latest METIS studies - mathematical model providing analysis of the European energy system for electricity, gas and heat (14/12/2022)

The Commission has published its latest series of METIS studies on sector coupling, electricity, heat and gas.

In focus: Renewable hydrogen to decarbonise the EU’s energy system (15/11/2022)

Since existing hydrogen production relies on imported natural gas, Russia’s war against Ukraine has put hydrogen, and renewable hydrogen in particular, in an even more prominent place in the EU’s accelerated transition to shift away from Russian fossil fuels,and diversify its energy supplies.

Implementing the Energy Union: Commission reports on energy transition progress (15/11/2022)

The Commission has published today a series of reports and documents accompanying the 7th State of the Energy Union report, published on 18 October. They highlight the progress made in implementing the Energy Union.

REPowerEU: Commission steps up green transition away from Russian gas by accelerating renewables permitting (09/11/2022)

The European Commission proposed on 9 November a new temporary emergency regulation to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources.

Joint Statement on the EU-Egypt Renewable Hydrogen Partnership (11/11/2022)

The EU- Egypt Memorandum of Understanding, issued on 8 November in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, is a central block in the building of an EU-Mediterranean Renewable Hydrogen Partnership.

Joint Statement following the latest meeting of the EU-US Task Force on Energy Security (15/11/2022)

On 3 November 2022, the EU-US Task Force on Energy Security met in Washington to discuss implementation of the 25 March Joint Statement by Presidents von der Leyen and Biden, which aims to help diversify the EU's natural gas supplies and reduce natural gas demand and consumption.

Ukraine Reconstruction: Commissioner Simson visits the country to boost the support for Ukraine's energy system (07/11/2022)

Commissioner Simson visited Ukraine on 1 November to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Minister of Energy German Galushchenko and international partners the immediate concrete support for its battered energy sector.

Call for applications for candidate projects in all categories under new Energy Infrastructure Regulation (18/10/2022)

The Commission has opened a call for applications for energy infrastructure projects under the new Trans-European Network for Energy Regulation (EU/2022/869), that was revised last year. Running until 15 December, the call covers all energy infrastructure categories, including candidates for Projects of Common Interest and the new Projects of Mutual Interest.

Energy saving options for SMEs to better cope with the crisis (15/11/2022)

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly feeling the burden of exorbitant energy prices. To help them address this difficult situation, the European Commission and the International Energy Agency presented on 21 October, a series of immediately available actions that can be taken at various levels.

Commission establishes Industry Advisory Group to support the EU Energy Platform (20/10/2022)

As one of the key motors for the platform, this informal expert group will assist the Commission with the necessary industrial perspective to meet the objectives of the EU Energy Platform and address current energy challenges.

Commission makes additional proposals to fight high energy prices and ensure security of supply (21/10/2022)

The Commission proposed on 18 October a new emergency regulation to address high gas prices in the EU and ensure security of supply this winter.

Commission sets out actions to digitalise the energy sector to improve efficiency and renewables integration (18/10/2022)

On 18 October, the Commission presented an Action Plan highlighting how new technologies can help improve the efficient use of energy resources, facilitate the integration of renewables into the grid, and save costs for EU consumers and energy companies.

Open Commission competition for administrators in the field of energy (21/10/2022)

The European Commission's competition for administrators (AD 6) in the fields of energy, climate, and environment is open for application until 22 November 2022.

Speech by Commissioner Simson at the Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Forum (15/11/2022)

Speech by Commissioner Simson at the Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Forum

Opening speech by Commissioner Simson at the 15th European Nuclear Energy Forum (11/11/2022)

Opening speech by Commissioner Simson at the 15th European Nuclear Energy Forum

Annual meeting of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine (22/11/2022)

The Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine invites all interested stakeholders to join its annual meeting next 22-23 November 2022.

2nd plenary meeting of the Smart Readiness Indicator platform (23/11/2022)

2nd plenary meeting of the Smart Readiness Indicator platform

14th Citizens’ Energy Forum (24/11/2022)

14th Citizens’ Energy Forum

Second meeting of the Equality Platform for the energy sector (25/11/2022)

As one of the ways to promote it in the energy sector, the European Commission established in 2021 an ‘Equality platform for the energy sector’ aimed at offering a space for discussion of issues relating to equality, facilitating exchanges of experiences and highlighting best practices.

First Plenary Meeting of the Investors Dialogue on Energy (10/01/2023)

The First Plenary Meeting of the Investors Dialogue on Energy aims to update stakeholders on the work of the platform, looking in particular at developments and initiatives related to the implementation of the REPowerEU plan.

Study on the performance of support for electricity from renewable sources granted by means of tendering procedures in the Union 2022 (15/11/2022)

Study on the performance of support for electricity from renewable sources granted by means of tendering procedures in the Union 2022

Study on energy subsidies and other government interventions in the European Union (07/11/2022)

This report documents work completed for the Directorate General for Energy (DG ENER) of the European Commission (EC) on the Study on energy subsidies and other government interventions in the EU – 2022 edition (Framework Contract MOVE/ENER/SRD/2020/OP/0008 Lot-2).

E-mobility deployment and impact on grids (07/11/2022)

Impact of EV and charging infrastructure on European T&D grids: innovation needs

ITER - Is it possible to imitate the power of the sun? (21/10/2022)

ITER is an international, large-scale scientific collaboration intended to prove the viability of fusion as an energy source. Want to find out how? Watch our newest videos!

Targeted consultation on Methodologies for assessing costs and benefits of candidate projects under the revised TEN-E Regulation - 2022 (10/10/2022)

The aim of the consultation is to seek input to each draft methodology for a harmonised system-wide cost benefit analysis in the electrolysers, smart gas grids, smart electricity grids, CO2 networks and energy storage categories under the revised TEN-E Regulation.

EU Energy Day at COP27 (15/11/2022)

The event took place on 14 November and the 7 high-level sessions had over 1200 participants (onsite and online). If you missed it, no worries - all sessions were recorded!