Clean energy for all Europeans.
Date: 2019-07-26
Institutions: Directorate-General for Energy
Subjects: EU Member State, EU energy policy, clean technology, energy cooperation, energy diversification, energy policy, energy technology, renewable energy

Clean energy
for all Europeans

Energy

Manuscript completed in March 2019

Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission  
is responsible for the use that might be made of the following information.

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2019

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Foreword

The gradual transition away from fossil fuels towards a carbon-neutral economy is one of the greatest challenges 
of our time. How will the EU tackle it? Through the clean and fair energy transition that creates growth and jobs in 
a modern economy and increases our quality of life as citizens, while at the same time putting us in the lead in the 
fight against climate change following the Paris Agreement. 

To do so, the EU has taken a wide range of initiatives. In broad terms, the establishment of the EU Energy Union 
provides a framework for a consistent approach in all policy areas – and central to the Energy Union is the Clean 
energy for all Europeans package. The purpose of these measures is to ensure a clean and fair energy transition at 
all levels of the economy – from energy generation all the way to people's homes, such as increasing renewable 
electricity  and  encouraging  the  use  of  smart  meters.  These  measures  aim  to  improve  energy  interconnections 
between Member States and to make the different actors in the energy field more competitive and innovative. This 
means finding the right blend between regulatory tools and market forces, encouraging private investment on clean 
energy where it makes economic sense and using EU funding to stimulate investment where market forces alone 
are not sufficient. 

The Clean energy for all Europeans package aims to set the right balance between making decisions at EU, national, 
and local level – because all levels of government are involved. In doing so, we unearth synergies and efficiency 
gains that could not be found if each EU country acted alone. And yet each country retains its independence to 
choose its own energy mix and the path it will take to reach its energy and climate targets – but within an EU 
context and following a common approach. This is European added value.  

The  new  measures  are  not  just  for  businesses  -  they 
provide  far  greater  opportunities  for  citizens.  Indeed, 
through  improved  market  efficiency  and  reinforced 
consumer  rights,  citizens  will  have  real  influence  over 
their energy footprint – whether through smart meters, 
taking control of household bills, or actually investing to 
produce their own renewable energy, which is then fed 
into the grid.    

This  document  presents  the  numerous  benefits  the 
new  EU  rules  will  provide,  from  different  angles  – 
environmental,  economic,  security  of  supply,  consumer, 
international,  and  from  a  longer  time  scale.  The  key 
message is that these changes are good for the planet, 
good for growth and jobs, and good for consumers. It is 
no coincidence that we called it the 'Clean energy for all 
Europeans' package.

"CLEAN ENERGY FOR ALL EUROPEANS"

the most ambitious set of energy proposals ever 
presented by the European  Commission…

…adopted in record time with impressive support 
from the European Parliament and Council

to accelerate the clean energy transition….

…to give all Europeans access to secure, 
competitive and sustainable energy

….making the EU's Energy Union - one of the ten 
political priorities of the Juncker Commission –  
a reality

Dominique Ristori 
Director-General for 
Energy

Miguel Arias Cañete
EU Commissioner for  
Climate Action and Energy

 
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Contents

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1. Accelerating the clean energy transition in the EU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2. Modernising the economy for the benefit of everyone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3. Increasing energy security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4. Bringing people and countries closer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5. Consumers at the heart of the energy transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6. Europe as an energy and climate action leader in the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

7. Moving towards a Clean Planet for All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Recommended sources of information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Clean energy for all Europeans  A c c e l e r a t i n g   t h e   c l e a n   e n e r g y   t r a n s i t i o n   i n   t h e   E U

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1.  Accelerating the clean 
energy transition in the EU

In the face of the 21st century’s global energy challenges, the EU is leading the clean 
energy transition: striving for a more secure, competitive and sustainable energy system 
which will address the existential challenge of our time - climate change. By setting 
ambitious energy and climate targets for 2030, the EU is giving a clear sense of direction; 
in addition to these targets, it provides a stable legal framework to foster the necessary 
investment. But this is not the end of the road: with its 2050 long-term climate neutrality 
strategy, the EU is also looking further ahead than 2030, and setting the foundations for 
what a cleaner planet will look like by the middle of the century and beyond.

The  EU  was  an  early  mover  on  clean  energy:  back  in 
2009,  the  EU  was  the  first  to  set  ambitious  energy 
and climate targets. The 2020 objectives  of achieving 
a  20%  greenhouse  gas  emission  reduction,  20%  in 
renewable  energy  and  20%  energy  efficiency  were 
ground-breaking at the time. They set a clear sense of 
direction which drove investment in infrastructure, and 
research and innovation. It was a concept that has now 
been followed by other countries all over the world.  

Ten  years  later,  the  EU  is  broadly  on  track  to  achieve 
the 2020 objectives. We have felt the economic benefits 
of clean energy: it is possible to reduce emissions and 
achieve GDP growth plus a net increase in employment 
in  the  energy  sector.  Moreover,  renewable  energy  in 
Europe  has  become  much  cheaper.  Solar  and  wind 
power now compete on market terms with other forms 
of power generation.

©Thinkstock

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With  the  Paris  Agreement,  the  EU  has  now  pledged 
to  move  further  ahead  and  achieve  greenhouse  gas 
emission reductions of at least 40% by 2030. In order 
to  respond  to  this  challenge  and  continue  to  lead  the 
global  energy  transition,  the  EU  has  adopted  a  set  of 
ambitious new rules, defining the legislative parameters 
for  the  coming  years,  but  also  enabling  the  necessary 
investment.  This  new  framework  is  called  the  “Clean 
energy for all Europeans package”.

What is in the package?

1. Energy efficiency first!

The new rules contain the principle of “energy efficiency 
first”,  and  set  a  target  to  be  almost  one  third  more 
efficient - at least 32.5% - in our energy use by 2030. 
A particular emphasis is also given to improving energy 
performance  in  the  building  sector.  This  sector  is 
crucial  to  the  clean  energy  transition,  as  buildings  are 
the  largest  energy  consumers,  accounting  for  40%  of 
final energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas 
emissions  in  Europe.  By  accelerating  the  renovation 
rate of buildings and exploiting all smart technologies 
available, this sector can contribute to a carbon-neutral 
and competitive economy.

2.  Showing  global  leadership  in  the  take-up  of 
renewables

An ambitious new target of at least 32% renewables by 
2030, binding at EU level, will drive an acceleration of 
clean energy uptake in all sectors, and facilitate public 
and private investment in the years ahead. 

3. A new energy rulebook

While these headline targets are fixed at EU level, the 
new rules establish that each country will decide how it 
contributes to these EU objectives by drafting a National 
Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030. The draft 
plans will be evaluated by the European Commission in 
order  to  ensure  that  the  EU  can  collectively  meet  its 
Paris Agreement commitments. The national plans also 
require EU countries to outline a long-term strategy for 
at least the next 30 years. 

The changes are not just for the public sector. The new 
rules provide a stable enabling framework that should 
facilitate and encourage private investment in the clean 
energy transition. 

4. More rights for consumers

As  well  as  a  strengthening  consumer  rights  -  more 
transparency in household bills, greater choice and more 
flexibility to change supplier - the new rules will make 
it easier for individuals to produce their own energy, for 
example through solar panels, store it or sell it onto the 
grid.

5.  Increased  security  of  supply  thanks  to  a  smarter 
and more efficient electricity market

Constantly  adding  higher  volumes  of  variable 
renewables  is  a  challenge  for  systems.  The  new  laws 
will  increase  our  security  of  supply  and  flexibility  by 
helping integrate renewables into the grid and manage 
risks,  and  by  improving  cross-border  cooperation:  this 
will lead to a cleaner, more stable and more competitive 
electricity sector across Europe.

But the Clean energy for all Europeans package is not the 
end of the road. It looks towards 2030 and beyond, and 
that is why the European Commission – in the context of 
the COP24 climate talks in Katowice in December 2018 
-  presented  its  2050  Long-Term  Climate  Neutrality 
Strategy.  This  proposal  presents  options  on  how  best 
to decarbonise the whole EU economy, and will be the 
basis of discussions in the coming years. 

Clean energy for all Europeans  M o d e r n i s i n g   t h e   e c o n o m y   f o r   t h e   b e n e f i t   o f   e v e r y o n e

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2.  Modernising the economy 
for the benefit of everyone

The benefits of the clean energy transition go far beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas 
emissions. The enormous investments required for this economic transformation will also 
bring opportunities for growth and jobs in Europe, fostering industrial competitiveness 
and driving research and innovation. At the same time, cleaner and smarter energy will 
mean improved health, a better quality of life and will allow citizens to take their own 
decisions regarding their energy use. Managed well, a fair and just transition can ensure 
that these benefits are shared by all citizens and all regions of Europe and that no one is 
left behind.

By staying at the forefront of this revolution, the EU is 
modernising its economy and businesses and will be able 
to enjoy first-mover benefits and see its competitiveness 
increase. The ongoing improvements to the functioning 
of Europe’s energy markets will lower energy costs and 
keep industries competitive. In the heating and cooling 
sector for example, the take up of renewables has been 
much slower than expected, but these changes will help 
kickstart a major change in this field. 

The clean energy transition = growth, jobs, and 
competitiveness

As we move from fossil fuels towards a decarbonised 
system,  fit  for  the  21st  century,  completing  the 
Energy  Union  and  the  clean  energy  transition  will  be 
of  paramount  importance  for  the  modernisation  of 
the  European  economy.  This  is  a  clear  opportunity  to 
boost investment, growth and jobs in Europe, while still 
ensuring that the transition is fair and just.

The  clean  energy  economy  has  been  growing  faster 
than the overall economy over the past 15 years in the 
EU – both in terms of value added and jobs. Renewable 
energies  already  employ  1.4  million  people  in  Europe. 
Eco-industries, linked in particular to the refurbishment 
of  buildings,  represent  more  than  3.4  million  jobs  in 
Europe. But that will increase further as a result of the 
Clean  energy  for  all  Europeans  package.  These  jobs 
are  mainly  local  jobs  where  small  and  medium  sized 
enterprises  (SMEs)  play  an  important  role,  notably  in 
the construction and engineering sectors. Up to 400,000 
additional  jobs  could  come  from  the  energy  efficiency 
sector alone.

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Addressing  these  challenges  at  EU  level,  and  through 
forums  such  as  the  Clean  Energy  Industry  Forum,  will 
make it easier to learn from each other and enable the 
rapid spread of best practices. This will be particularly 
important for energy-intensive sectors such as the steel, 
aluminium, chemical, cement or paper industries since 
energy  represents  a  major  share  of  their  production 
costs. These industries have already made major efforts 
to  reduce  their  energy  and  carbon  intensity,  notably 
through energy efficiency measures. Further reductions 
will  require  the  development  and  deployment  of 
innovative  technologies  and  solutions.  As  for  the 
defence sector, a more sustainable and efficient use of 
energy is also a must. In this regard, the Commission is 
closely cooperating with the European Defence Agency 
to improve the energy use of the military sector.

Investing in future clean energy 
technologies and innovation

Digitalisation

ITER

Investing 
in future 
clean energy 
technologies and 
innovation 

Storage, hydrogen

Carbon Capture 
& Storage (CCS)

The clean energy transition requires important 
investments: research and innovation will 
contribute to the creation of a strong industrial 
basis and make the EU a global technology leader

Over  the  next  decade,  Europe  will  need  around  €180 
billion  a  year  in  investments  to  improve  energy 
efficiency and increase the production and deployment 

of  renewables,  in  order  to  reduce  greenhouse  gas 
emissions and meet our Paris Agreement commitments. 
While an important amount of the investment will come 
from  public  funding  (at  EU,  national  or  local  level), 
most  of  it  will  come  from  private  sources.  A  stable 
policy  environment  is  therefore  essential,  one  which 
encourages  and  accelerates  the  necessary  public  and 
private investment in innovation and modernisation in all 
key sectors. The Clean energy for all Europeans package 
is  an  important  step  in  this  direction  –  establishing  a 
stable  legal  framework  and  a  clear  direction  for  the 
next decade. This greater predictability reduces the risk 
for  investors  and  provides  a  clear  perspective  looking 
further ahead. 

At the same time, EU spending has an important role to 
play as a catalyst. Research and innovation is the best 
way to improve competitiveness and to help become a 
global technology leader. While the EU is still a leader 
in manufacturing in the renewables sector, in particular 
for wind energy, ocean energy, heat pumps and district 
heating  technologies,  it  is  facing  greater  competition 
from other parts of the world and needs to accelerate 
its efforts in order to maintain its position.

The clean energy transition must benefit everyone 
- no citizen, no region should be left behind

While  economists  agree  on  the  potential  for  growth 
and  jobs  from  the  clean  energy  transition,  the  EU  is 
well aware that it will be particularly difficult for some 
regions or some sections of society – especially in the 
short-term.  The  deep  transformation  of  the  economy 
needs to be managed well to avoid social and regional 
disparities.  The  clean  energy  transition  must  be  fair 
and socially acceptable to all. This is at the core of the 
European Social Model and is a clear priority of the Clean 
energy for all Europeans package. With this in mind, the 
EU has launched a series of initiatives to ensure that all 
citizens,  regardless  of  their  location,  benefit  from  the 
clean energy transition.

INN OVAT ION  AN D RE SE ARCH  E XAM PLES

• 

• 

• 

 Smart grids: WiseGrid (Spain). Enables a two-way communication between the electricity provider and its 
customers and allows provision of renewable and affordable energy for electro-mobility and storage use. 

 Reducing energy consumption of energy-intensive industries: HYBRIT project (under the SET Plan). 
Ambitions to reduce emissions in Sweden by 6 million tons of CO2 by 2040.

 Electricity storage: Europe supports the development of a domestic green battery value chain consisting 
of high performant, safe and sustainable battery cells with the lowest environmental footprint possible. 
Example: TILOS island project, winner of two EUSEW 2017 awards (EUSEW=EU Sustainable Energy 
Week) for hybrid power plant combining the use of sun and wind together with big battery systems and 
introducing smart energy management system on the island; BATCircle project (Finland), which focuses 
on upscaling of metallurgical or chemical processes and improvement of current commercial processes 
recovering metals.

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In addition to this, the Energy Poverty Observatory has 
been established to help Member States in their efforts 
to combat energy poverty. It will improve the measuring 
and  monitoring  of  the  problem  and  share  knowledge 
and best practice in addressing it. 

The  Coal  Regions  in  Transition  Initiative  aims  to  help 
develop  strategies  and  projects  for  viable  social, 
economic  and  technological  transformation  in  regions 
which  have  previously  been  particularly  dependent 
on  coal  or  carbon-based  industries.  This  will  involve 
retraining  and  upskilling.  The  EU  is  already  providing 
assistance to 14 coal regions in 7 Member States.

Islands  are  frequently  highly  dependent  on  imported 
fossil fuels to generate their energy, but have significant 
potential to generate much of their own energy through 
renewables.  Consequently, 
the  Commission  has 
established  the  Clean  Energy  for  EU  Islands  initiative 
aimed  at  providing  a  long-term  framework  to  help 
islands  become  more  energy  independent.  This  will 
result in better energy security, improved air quality and 
the  creation  of  new  jobs  and  business  opportunities, 
boosting islands' energy self-sufficiency.

Energy Poverty has been addressed in the new legislation 
so  that  a  common  definition  of  the  concept  has  been 
agreed for the first time. With estimates suggesting that 
more  than  50  million  Europeans  are  affected  by  this 
growing issue, Member States are required to monitor 
the situation in their country. Many of the new elements 
aimed at strengthening the position of the consumer in 
the market will support the most vulnerable in our society. 

EU  B UD GET SUPPORTS  CL EA N E NERGY TRANSITION

Under the current programing period 2014-2020, the European budget has established programmes and 
developed instruments that have supported the clean energy transition. In total, 20% of EU spending is currently 
used for climate-related measures. But the European Commission is already looking to increase the level of 
ambition in the future. In its blueprint for the future EU budget (for 2021 to 2027), the Commission proposed a 
new target of at least 25% of total EU expenditure contributing to fighting climate change, including the clean 
energy transition.

Under the next financial period 2021-2027, the Commission has proposed to increase the budget for R&I to 
almost €100 billion under Horizon Europe, including a budget for research and innovation (R&I) dedicated to 
energy, mobility and climate of around €15 billion. The Commission also launched the Clean Energy Industrial 
Forum to build a strong industrial basis in Europe and to boost their competitiveness along the entire value chain 
in key areas of the clean energy transition: renewable energy, construction and batteries. In addition, the European 
Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) aims at accelerating the development and deployment of low-carbon 
technologies, at improving new technologies and at bringing down their costs, by coordinating national research 
efforts and facilitating financing of projects in the energy sector. Its goal is to promote innovation partnerships 
across Europe by supporting the most impactful technologies that will contribute to the EU's transformation to a 
low-carbon energy system.

T HE  J UN CK ER PL AN SUP PO RTS  T HE ENERGY TRANSITION

One relatively new element of EU funding which is proving particular effective is the Investment Plan for Europe, 
the European Fund for Strategic Investments, whereby public funds are used as leverage for securing private 
investment. Energy is the sector that benefits most of all from this instrument, in particular energy efficiency, 
renewable energies and infrastructure. Of the overall €371.2 billion of total investments approved under EFSI 
since it was established in 2014/15, roughly 19% has gone to energy projects. For example, this has allowed 
some 8.2 million European households to be supplied with renewable energy and 28 million houses have had 
electricity and gas smart meters installed.

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3.  Increasing energy security

The EU currently imports more than half of its energy, mainly in the form of oil and 
gas. With our new rules in place, we can lower this reliance on imports by reducing 
consumption, producing more renewable energy and improving cross-border connections 
within the EU. Indeed, the considerable savings on import costs will contribute to 
investment growth and jobs in Europe. The new rules will ensure more flexible and 
efficient electricity markets, better suited for the energy transition, in particular to 
integrate the increasing use of variable renewable energy sources. Together with 
improved inter-connections between EU countries, this will make our energy supply more 
secure and diversified. The new emphasis given to the security of energy supply will 
make blackouts less likely and ensure that EU citizens and businesses always receive the 
energy they need. At the same stage, a range of elements foresee increased cooperation 
and preparedness just in case the unexpected happens. 

Diversification, renewables and energy efficiency = 
less dependence on external energy supplies

With  an  external  energy  bill  averaging  €300  billion 
over  the  last  2  years,  the  EU  has  enormous  potential 
to  significantly  reduce  its  imports  of  fossil  fuels  and 
increase  its  energy  sovereignty.  Saving  energy  through 
energy efficiency is the easiest way to improve our energy 
independence,  and  increase  our  resilience  to  external 
shocks or political pressure. Being the global leader in the 
development  and  deployment  of  renewables  will  allow 
the  EU  to  substantially  reduce  dependency  on  external 
energy  suppliers.  This  will  be  even  more  the  case  in 
the  future,  since  electricity  will  become  more  strategic, 
and  likely  to  account  for  more  than  half  of  the  EU’s 
energy  needs  by  2050.  The  new  Energy  efficiency  and 
Renewables directives of the Clean Energy Package will 
therefore boost the energy security of the EU.

More flexible and efficient electricity market, better 
suited for the energy transition

The  new  electricity  market  design  resulting  from  the 
Clean energy for all Europeans package will also ensure 
a  more  stable  EU  energy  market  in  future,  by  making 
the electricity market in the EU better suited to variable 
and  intermittent  renewable  energies.  With  the  new 
rules, electricity can be traded closer to real time, when 
weather  forecasts  are  more  accurate  and  renewable 
plants  are  able  to  better  predict  their  production.  The 
new  regulations  also  strengthen  price  signals  and 
increase  cross-border  trade  to  ensure  that  electricity 
can always flow to where it is most needed. When we 
need a lot of electricity in the peak of the day of a cold 

winter,  we  must  make  sure  that  the  clean  and  cheap 
electricity from the wind farms of the North of Europe 
or  from  the  solar  farms  of  the  South  of  Europe  can 
arrive where it is most needed. This is not only good for 
the environment, it is also good for consumers’ pockets, 
reducing the need for constructing new back-up power 
plants  in  each  country  that  would  be  used  only  a  few 
hours a year and would eventually be paid by electricity 
consumers.

Strengthened interconnections = more secure 
energy supply

Interconnected  electricity  and  gas  grids  are  also  vital 
for energy security of supply. Well integrated networks 
are  not  only  the  best  protection  against  a  possible 
infrastructure  failure  in  an  EU  country,  but  they  also 
bring more supply options and hence more competitive 
prices into the national markets.  Through a wide range 
of structural investments – notably those identified as 
Projects  of  Common  Interest  (PCIs)  (which  are  eligible 
for EU funding) – there has been a significant increase 
in cross-border connection projects in the course of this 
decade. These include projects aimed at synchronising 
the  Baltic  countries  with  other  Member  States,  or 
extending  the  Southern  Gas  Corridor,  and  more  and 
more new electricity projects seeking to link two or more 
Member  States,  such  as  the  integration  of  the  Iberian 
peninsula with the rest of Europe.

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Reconciling security of supply and decarbonisation

The  new  electricity  market  design  rules  introduce  a 
framework  for  cross-border  cooperation  and  put  an 
emissions cap on new capacity mechanisms in order to 
restrict  subsidies  for  the  most  polluting  technologies. 
This  important  change  reconciles  our  objectives  of 
decarbonisation on the one hand and security of supply 
on the other. 

Prepared against risk: security of supply also 
means prevention and solidarity

Together we are stronger! With the principle of solidarity 
enshrined  in  EU  legislation  for  gas  security  of  supply 

as  well  as  for  electricity  risk  preparedness,  European 
citizens are better protected against energy crises (such 
as  blackouts  and  gas  shortages).  Under  the  new  rules 
on  risk  preparedness,  all  neighbouring  countries  are 
required to coordinate efforts and prepare solutions to 
any potential threat or crisis. 

The EU has recently agreed rules to ensure that EU law 
will be applied to pipelines bringing gas to Europe and 
that everyone interested in selling gas to Europe must 
respect European energy law. By standing united, Europe 
has given itself a strong set of tools to deal effectively 
and collectively with our external energy suppliers.

 
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4.  Bringing people and 
countries closer

A safe, sustainable and affordable energy system is only possible if EU countries 
work together in a spirit of solidarity. By creating a new rulebook on how the EU and 
its Member States collaborate to reach our ambitious energy and climate goals, we 
can reach our collective ambitions in the most efficient way, bring people, regions 
and countries together, and provide real added value for Europeans. Cooperation and 
solidarity also mean stronger interconnections and solid infrastructure.

A common rulebook combining consistency and 
flexibility 

Energy  is  an  area  where  Member  States  have  shown 
a high level of ambition both at national and EU level. 
To deliver a secure, sustainable and competitive energy 
system,  the  EU  can  now  rely  on  a  new  rulebook,  the 
Governance of the Energy Union and its national energy 
and  climate  plans.  Embodying  trust  and  consensus 
between  all  parts  of  the  EU,  it  encourages  a  new 
political  dialogue  between  Europeans  and  enhances 
forms of regional cooperation between Member States. 
Combined, these new practices will help us achieve the 
Energy Union objectives.

For  the  first  time,  the  new  governance  system  puts 
European  citizens  as  well  as  local  governments  and 
stakeholders at the centre of the political debate on the 
definition of National Energy and Climate Plans that cover 
10 year periods. A number of strict requirements on the 
participation and consultation of national stakeholders 
have  been  introduced,  thus  enabling  European  civil 
society  to  make  its  voice  heard  more  clearly.  Active 
participation  of  local  and  regional  authorities  is  key 
for the success of the energy transition, as the energy 
system becomes more decentralised. Future energy and 
climate policies will therefore be developed closer to EU 
citizens,  hopefully  increasing  public  acceptance  of  the 
EU’s policies and raising awareness of the goals and the 
efforts needed to achieve them. 

©European Union, 2019

Stronger interconnections and infrastructure = 
better and safer energy markets

Closer cooperation between Member States, regulatory 
authorities  and  energy  system  operators  at  regional 
and European level boosts competitiveness and energy 
security. It also engenders a cost-efficient clean energy 
transition.  The  EU  has  the  most  interconnected  and 
secure electricity grid in the world: and it manages the 
highest  share  of  electricity  generated  from  renewable 
energy sources. To keep up this high standard, the EU 
continues to improve its key interconnections and fill in 
the missing links to better integrate energy markets and 
production  of  renewables.  Making  Europe's  electricity 
grid  fit  for  the  energy  transition  still  requires  further 
action, in parallel to the application of the revised rules 
for the electricity market, as agreed in the Clean energy 
for all Europeans package.

Clean energy for all Europeans  B r

i n g i n g   p e o p l e   a n d   c o u n t

r

i e s   c l o s e r

11

support 

infrastructure 

for  modern 

EU 
and 
interconnections  is  channelled  through  the  Projects 
of  Common  Interest  (PCIs)  framework,  supported 
financially  by  the  Connecting  Europe  Facility.  For  gas, 
Europe should soon achieve a well-interconnected and 
shock-resilient gas grid, having being well supported by 
the PCI system. In the coming years, electricity projects 
will  become  increasingly  important  for  the  integration 
of  renewable  energy  across  borders,  including  the 
digitalisation and smartening of the grid. In some areas 
of Europe, such as in the Iberian Peninsula, or between 
the  North  and  South  of  Germany,  better  electricity 
interconnections  are  being  planned  and  the  political 
commitment  to  remove  these  bottlenecks  is  strong. 
For the future, as we move towards a high renewables 
scenario,  the  investment  needs  of  interconnectors  will 
have to more than double.  

Strengthened collaboration at all levels between 
energy regulators and transmission system 
operators in all EU countries

In  the  same  spirit  of  solidarity  and  collaboration,  the 
Clean energy for all Europeans package also introduces 
new  tasks  for  the  Agency  for  the  Cooperation  of  the 
Energy  Regulators  (ACER).  Created  to  help  solidify  the 
European  internal  energy  market,  ACER  will  in  future 
issue best practice reports in a series of areas, helping 
to align the approaches of the different Member States. 
The  new  rules  also  enhance  the  cooperation  among 
the Transmission System Operators (TSOs) through the 
Regional Coordination Centres. This will reduce the risk 
of blackouts and in general increase the efficiency of the 
system operation, thus reducing costs. 

strengthened  political 

A 
collaboration  between 
regulators, governments and civil society also comes to 
life through the High Level Groups, which discuss energy 
issues in European regions that have been identified as 
being  of  high  priority  and  provide  strategic  guidance 
on  technical  topics  and  monitor  the  progress  of  high 
priority projects.

The  n ew EU ener gy  and cli m ate  gov e rnanc e  prov ide s  a u nique  c oo per a tio n 
framew ork  bet wee n M em be r St ate s a nd the  EU , in  or de r  to:

Ensure synergies betweetn EU and national trajectories

• 
•  National plans
• 

Structured reports

12

5.  Consumers at the heart 
of the energy transition

Consumers need to be at the centre of a renewed EU energy system: improved rules will 
give them more flexibility and better protect them, but also allow them to take their own 
decisions on how to produce, store, sell or share their own energy. More control and more 
access for consumers will translate into better quality of life and better finances. And this 
democratisation of energy will alleviate energy poverty and protect vulnerable citizens.

Energy is central to modern life and social inclusion: it 
is  necessary  for  education,  health,  security  and  well-
being. Energy represents on average 6% of the annual 
expenditure  of  the  200  million  households  in  the  EU. 
The lowest-income households spent almost 9% of their 
total expenditure on energy in 2014. This corresponds 
to  a  50%  increase  over  the  last  ten  years,  far  more 
than for average households. It is therefore impossible 
to separate the energy transition from socio-economic 
considerations.  That  is  why  the  concept  of  access  to 
energy has been reinforced in the Clean energy for all 
Europeans package.

For  the  first  time,  consumers  have  been  put  at  the 
heart  of  the  Energy  Union,  allowing  them  to  actively 
take  part  in  the  clean  energy  transition.  They  will  be 
better  protected  and  put  in  a  stronger  position  in  the 
supply  chain.  Empowering  citizens  and  giving  them  
ownership of the energy transition are not only slogans. 
By  unlocking  both  technological  and  social  innovation, 
the  new  rules  can  help  harness  all  aspects  of  human 
potential to drive the energy transition and help them 
reduce costs.

Better information on energy consumption and 
costs

With the new rules, consumers will be better informed 
and  have  clearer,  more  transparent  energy  bills  and 
more understandable contracts. They will have the right 
to  request  a  smart  meter,  thus  being  informed  about 
their  energy  consumption  and  costs  in  real  time,  with 

full  control  over  their  data,  which  remains  protected. 
For  example,  dynamic  pricing  in  electricity  offers  the 
best  value  (i.e.  lowest  prices  over  time)  to  consumers. 
Certified price comparison tools will help them in their 
choice of supplier, and switching supplier will be easier 
and faster. As such, the  consumer will be in a stronger 
position  in  the  chain,  leading  to  greater  competition 
among suppliers and greater variety in the options on 
offer. 

Clean energy for all Europeans  C o n s u m e r s   a t   t h e   h e a r t   o f   t h e   e n e r g y   t r a n s i t i o n

13

A more active role, more choice and flexibility

From  enhanced  digitalisation,  to  smart  grids  and 
smart  appliances,  passing  through  the  Internet  of 
Things,  new  batteries  and  storage  systems:  all  these 
new  technologies  are  creating  ample  opportunities  for 
European  citizens  to  participate  and  benefit  from  the 
energy  markets.  The  Clean  energy  for  all  Europeans 
package  gives  consumers  more  choice  in  their  homes 
and more flexibility to reduce their energy use when it 
is  expensive  and  consume  or  store  energy  when  it  is 
cheap.  The  package  creates  a  regulatory  framework 
which enables new services to compete more efficiently 
and transparently.

play an active role means more democracy, and more 
opportunities  for  citizens  to  take  their  own  decisions 
on  which  type  of  energy  they  want  to  use.  The  new 
rules  promote  this  actively  with  provisions  on  self-
consumption of energy, and local and renewable energy 
communities.

Energy labels = savings

When  consumers  buy  new  household  appliances,  they 
know that the widely recognised EU energy label is as an 
important tool to help them choose more energy-efficient 
devices. Saving energy is a sure way to save money on 
household  bills.  Recognised  by  85%  of  consumers,  the 
labelling and eco-design measures are estimated to save 
up to 500 euros per household every year. 

©Anthony Brown

Consumers and the renewables revolution

A tighter safety net

Consumers will also find it easier to invest in renewable 
energy,  most  obviously  in  solar  panels,  and  then 
consume, store or sell the energy they produce. Studies 
show  that  households  can  save  on  energy  costs  by 
installing  solar  panel  systems,  recovering  the  full  cost 
of their investment in a short period of time. The new 
Renewables  Directive  helps  with  the  administrative 
procedures  and  the  new  Electricity  Directive  improves 
the  market  conditions.  Citizens  can  join  in  “energy 
communities”,  pooling  their  energy,  and  benefit  from 
incentives  for  renewable  energy  production.  Estimates 
suggest  that  by  2030,  energy  communities  could  own 
some 17% of installed wind capacity and 21% of solar. 
By  2050,  almost  half  of  EU  households  are  expected 
to be producing renewable energy. Finally, the move to 
a more decentralised energy system where consumers 

An EU and an Energy Union that protects, defends and 
empowers  will  not  leave  any  citizen  behind,  and  not 
least  the  European  energy  consumer.  The  new  rules 
will  improve  access  to  energy  for  all,  tackling  energy 
poverty at its root and protecting vulnerable consumers. 
Under the new energy efficiency rules, Member States 
have  to  give  priority  to  households  in  social  housing 
and  suffering  from  energy  poverty,  and  must  consider 
energy poverty in their long-term renovation strategies. 
The Governance Regulation and the Electricity Directive 
together  ask  that  Member  States  monitor  energy 
poverty  and  introduce  in  their  National  Energy  and 
Climate  Plans  specific  national  objectives  on  energy 
poverty. The Energy Poverty Observatory – launched by 
the Commission – will assist in this task.

14

6.  Europe as an energy and 
climate action leader in the 
world

By strongly backing the Paris climate agreement, setting ambitious energy and climate 
targets for 2030 and fixing a clear long-term decarbonisation strategy for 2050, Europe 
is showing the world the way forward. Moreover, the EU’s external energy policy is based 
on close cooperation with all our external partners, to ensure security of supply, foster 
the global clean energy transition, and create a level playing field for EU companies on 
global energy markets. International energy cooperation is also key for managing the 
EU’s external energy dependency, given that the EU imports half of its energy needs. 
Boosting investment in clean energy in our close neighbourhood, and particularly in 
Africa, will create sustainable growth and jobs locally. Europe is also strengthening its 
energy alliances with strategic partners and looking to enhance trade by advancing the 
international role the euro in energy contracts. 

first major economy to translate its promises under the 
Paris  Agreement  into  binding  laws.  At  the  UN  climate 
conference in Katowice in December 2018, the EU played 
an  instrumental  role  in  making  the  Paris  Agreement 
operational, with the adoption of a clear rulebook.

The EU’s commitment to international energy 
cooperation

Leading on the Paris Agreement also means defending 
an  international  approach  as  the  best  way  to  address 
global  challenges.  Within  the  current  geopolitical 
context, it is more important than ever to demonstrate 
the  value  of  cooperation.  The  EU  has  a  unique 
opportunity  to  promote  the  clean  energy  transition 
leading by example, while advancing its energy security 
objectives  through  continued  and  further  engagement 
with  key  partners,  including  the  United  States,  Japan, 
China,  India,  Norway  and  Canada.  By  promoting  clean 
energy,  the  EU  reinforces  its  global  role,  mitigates 
threats and contributes to a more stable and peaceful 
world. Moreover, Europe is committed to systematically 
including  energy  efficiency  and  renewable  energy  as 
a  priority  in  all  existing  geopolitical,  diplomatic  and 
financial initiatives. That is why the EU will continue to 
promote  the  clean  energy  agenda  in  multilateral  fora 
such as the G7 or the G20.

©European Union, 2019

The energy transition at the heart of the Paris 
Agreement

The EU’s vision to create a European Energy Union and 
place Europe at the forefront of energy efficiency, clean 
and  renewable  energy  production  and  the  fight  against 
climate change, is becoming a reality. European energy 
and  climate  policies  are  accelerating  public  and  private 
investment  in  innovation  and  modernisation,  creating 
sustainable jobs, and enabling all citizens to benefit from 
the transition to a modern and low-carbon economy. The 
EU  has  shown  that  the  world  can  count  on  Europe  for 
clean energy transition and climate leadership. It is the 

Clean energy for all Europeans  E u r o p e   a s   a n   e n e r g y   a n d   c l i m a t e   a c t i o n   l e a d e r   i n   t h e   w o r l d

15

IT ER

ITER is one of the most ambitious energy 
projects in the world today.

In southern France, 35 nations are collaborating 
to build the world's largest tokamak, a magnetic 
fusion device that has been designed to prove 
the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and 
carbon-free source of energy.

The project already has a clear positive impact in 
making Europe more competitive and in creating 
new skills, jobs, and partnerships between big 
and smaller companies.

©ITER Organization/EJF Riche

The new EU-Africa alliance

Africa  is  home  to  the  world's  highest  number  of 
people  without  access  to  electricity,  yet  it  has  ample 
energy  resources.  The  EU  is  Africa’s  biggest  partner 
for  sustainable  energy,  and  access  to  energy  in  Africa 
is  a  key  European  policy  goal.  President  Jean-Claude 
Juncker recently proposed a new EU-Africa alliance for 
sustainable  investment  and  jobs.  Approximately  €2.7 
billion of financial assistance has been or will be provided 
to Sub-Saharan Africa in the period from 2014 to 2020, 
giving about 40 million people access to energy. To help 
in  this  endeavour,  a  high-level  EU-Africa  sustainable 
energy platform has been established, bringing together 
key  players  in  the  sustainable  energy  sector  from  the 
public and private sectors of both Europe and Africa.

Strengthening European sovereignty: a stronger 
international role for the euro

The EU is the world's largest energy importer, with an 
annual  energy  import  bill  averaging  €300  billion  over 
the last 2 years. Around 85% of this is paid in US dollars. 
In  order  to  increase  access  to  reliable  finance  and 
strengthening sovereignty, the European Commission is 
seeking to increase the use of the euro in international 
agreements  and  non-binding 
related 
to  energy,  as  well  as  in  energy-related  transactions, 
financial transactions and energy-related projects. 

instruments 

Moreover, the EU has also adopted new rules to screen 
and monitor foreign direct investments, to ensure that 
Europe is well equipped to protect its essential interests, 
while  remaining  one  of  the  most  open  investment 
regimes  in  the  world.  The  EU  will  defend  its  strategic 
interests and scrutiny purchases by foreign companies 
that target Europe's strategic assets.

16

7.  Moving towards a Clean 
Planet for All

The EU’s targets for 2030 are important, but the energy transition will not stop there. 
The challenge goes further. And the European Commission has again shown leadership by 
publishing a blueprint for taking things further forward, with a view to the achievement 
of a carbon-neutral economy by the middle of the century.

With  its  ambitious  targets  for  2030  at  EU  level,  the 
Clean  energy  for  all  Europeans  package  has  put  in 
place  the  most  advanced  legislative  framework  in  the 
world to transform the energy sector and decarbonize 
the  economy:  a  new  renewable  energy  target  of  at 
least 32% binding at EU level and a new EU headline 
energy efficiency target of at least 32.5%. Both targets 
include  the  possibility  of  a  further  upward  revision  in 
2023. When fully implemented, they could lead to an EU 
greenhouse gas emissions cut of some 45% by 2030. 
But the fight against climate change will not stop there. 
The  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  has 
confirmed  that  urgent  acceleration  of  global  climate 
action is needed. The world will have to go to net zero 
greenhouse gas emissions by around 2070 to limit the 
temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Going beyond 2030 towards 2050

With this in mind, and in order to show global leadership 
and reap the benefits of first mover advantage, the EU 
has  been    the  first  major  economy  to  present  a  long-
term  vision  towards  a  modern  and  climate  neutral 
economy  by  2050.  Published  in  November  2018,  just 
ahead of the COP24 meeting in Katowice, this strategy 
constitutes the EU’s long-term contribution to the aims 
of the Paris climate agreement to keep the temperature 
increase  to  well  below  2°C  and  pursue  efforts  to  keep 
it under 1.5°C. The EU will achieve this by investing in 
realistic  technological  solutions,  empowering  citizens, 
and aligning action in key areas such as industrial policy, 
finance, or research, while ensuring social fairness for a 
just transition to the climate neutral economy.

Clean energy for all Europeans  M o v i n g  

t o w a r d s   a   C l e a n   P l a n e t

  f o r

  A l

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17

A dynamic economy and reducing emission can go 
together

Economic, social and air quality: meeting the 
concerns of citizens

imply  that  the 

Reducing  emissions  and  transforming  the  energy 
system  does  not 
livelihoods  of 
Europeans  need  to  suffer.  It  is  possible  to  reduce 
emissions while creating prosperity, high-quality local 
jobs,  and  improving  quality  of  life.  This  can  be  done 
by  developing  and  deploying  current  technologies.  It 
is  in  Europe's  interest  to  reduce  spending  on  fossil 
fuel imports and invest in a clean, green Europe that 
generates  growth  and  new  jobs.  In  this  process,  no 
European citizen and no region should be left behind. 
As  new  sectors  emerge,  traditional  ones  will  need  to 
adjust.  The  EU  will  support  those  more  impacted  by 
the  transition  so  that  everyone  can  benefit  from  our 
investment in the clean energy transition.

The road to a climate-neutral economy will require joint 
action  across  the  whole  economy:  in  energy  efficiency 
(savings  of  up  to  50%  by  2050);  renewables  (to  be 
80% of electricity alongside nuclear energy); transport 
(electric  cars  and  low  carbon  fuels);  industry  (more 
recycling  and  decarbonised  production  processes); 
(digitalised  and  connecting  Europe); 
infrastructure 
the  new  digital  economy  and  the  bio  economy  (up  to 
80%  bigger  than  today’s).  Across  the  board,  sectors 
can develop new decarbonised technologies as well as 
create new markets for the new technologies needed in 
a clean, decarbonised world. 

The  extra  investment  needed  to  decarbonise  the 
economy  has  been  estimated  at  around  €550  billion 
per year, up from approximately €400 billion today. This 
investment is not only about showing the world how to 
decarbonise. It also demonstrates the opportunities that 
come with this widespread “re-industrialisation”. 

There  are  certainly  economic  benefits  from  this 
transition (new jobs and up to an additional 2% increase 
in  GDP),  but  there  are  further  benefits  as  well  –  in 
terms of improved air quality and health and creating a 
cleaner, less polluted planet. Today, air pollution causes 
half  a  million  premature  deaths  annually.  By  going 
climate neutral, we can reduce this by more than 40% 
and save up to €200 million in healthcare costs. 75% 
of the European population lives in urban areas, which 
represent  70%  of  energy  consumption  and  a  similar 
share  of  CO2  emissions.  These  measures  will  improve 
the  overall  air  quality,  and  particularly  in  cities.  Cities 
must be at the heart of any policy that contributes to 
a  cleaner  planet.  The  active  participation  of  local  and 
regional  authorities,  through  the  Covenant  of  Mayors 
initiative,  is  paramount  to  delivering  clean  energy 
solutions for citizens. In the EU’s social market model, 
these social and environmental gains have to come in 
tandem with the purely economic gains.

Where do we go from here?

Building  on  the  2030  energy  and  climate  framework 
now being put to work, the EU’s long-term strategy sets 
the scene for Member State discussions on how to move 
forward  into  a  prosperous,  modern,  competitive  and 
climate-neutral world of the mid-21st century.

18

Clean energy for all EuropeansR e c o m m e n d e d   s o u r c e s  

  o f  

i n f o r m a t

i o n

19

Recommended sources  
of information

  Clean energy for all Europeans package:  

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/clean-energy-all-europeans

  Long-Term strategy – A clean planet for all: 

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/2050-long-term-strategy

  The EU priority: Establishing the Energy Union: 

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/energy-union-and-climate_en Union

  Horizon 2020:  

http://horizon2020-story.eu/

  Strategic Energy Technologies Information System (SETIS):  

https://setis.ec.europa.eu/

  BRIDGE:  

https://www.h2020-bridge.eu/

   Horizon Europe: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/designing-next-research-and-innovation-framework-programme/what-shapes-next-framework-
programme_en

  EU Sustainable Energy Week:  

https://eusew.eu/

20

For more information :

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