COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION - SYNOPSIS REPORT Synopsis report on the public consultation Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ELECTRIFICATION ACTION PLAN
Date: 2026-07-17
Institutions: Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission
Subjects: EU energy policy, action programme, electrical energy, energy supply, energy transition, price of energy, reduction of gas emissions, renewable energy

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 17.7.2026  SWD(2026) 596 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION - SYNOPSIS REPORT  Synopsis report on the public consultation Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS  ELECTRIFICATION ACTION PLAN {COM(2026) 595 final} - {SWD(2026) 595 final}  
 
 
1. Introduction 

The  Electrification  Action  Plan  was  announced  as  a  deliverable  in  the  Affordable  Energy 
Action  Plan,  with  the  objective  of  accelerating  the  electrification  of  energy  demand  across 
sectors, as a key enabler of decarbonisation, competitiveness and energy security. 

In preparation of this initiative, the Commission carried out a broad stakeholder consultation, 
consisting  of  an  open  public  consultation  and  a  call  for  evidence,  both  published  on  the 
Commission’s  “Have  your  Say”  portal.  The  consultation  aimed  at  gathering  views  from 
citizens, stakeholders and public authorities on the objectives, barriers and policy options for 
accelerating electrification across the energy system. 

This  document  should  be  regarded  solely  as  a  summary  of  the  contributions  made  by 
stakeholders through this consultation process. It cannot in any circumstances be regarded as 
the  official  position  of  the  Commission  or  its  services  and  thus  it  is  not  binding  for  the 
Commission. Responses to the consultation activities cannot be considered as a representative 
sample of the views of the EU population. 

2. Scope of the consultation and participation 

Open Public consultation 

The public consultation questionnaire included a combination of multiple-choice, ranking and 
open-ended questions covering: 

• 

the objectives of an EU Electrification Action Plan, 

•  barriers to electrification across sectors, 

•  policy options to accelerate electrification, 

• 

flexibility, storage and demand response, 

•  sector-specific aspects, including for transport and heating and cooling. 

The  Commission  received  320  contributions.  Business  associations  represented  the  largest 
group  of  respondents  (115),  followed  by  companies  and  businesses  (109).  EU  citizens 
accounted  for  33  submissions,  while  non-governmental  organisations  (28)  also  contributed 
significantly to the consultation. 

 
 
OPC 
Respondents

Business Associations

Companies

Citizens

NGOs

Other Stakeholders

Public Authorities

Academic & Research

Consumer Organisations

Environmental Organisations

Trade Unions

Call for evidence 

The call for evidence allowed stakeholders to provide free-text feedback and submit position 
papers on the scope and content of the Electrification Action Plan, including barriers, policy 
priorities and cross-cutting considerations. 

The Commission received 177 contributions from individuals and organisations. 

largest  group  of 

followed  by 
The 
companies/businesses (44) and EU citizens (22). Additional contributions were received from 
non-governmental organisations (16) and other stakeholders (7), among others. 

respondents  was  business  associations 

(80), 

CfE Respondents

Business Associations

Companies

Citizens

NGOs

Other Stakeholders

Consumer Organisations

Environmental Organisations Academic & Research

Public Authorities

Trade Unions

 
 
 
 
3. Tools and methodology 

A  quantitative  and  qualitative  analysis  of  the  replies  to  the  public  consultation  and  the 
comments received to the call for evidence was carried out. The replies to the multiple-choice 
questions in the public consultation were processed using the quantitative data analysis tools 
in  EU  Survey.  The  qualitative  replies  (the  free  text  replies  to  the  questions  as  well  as  the 
attached position papers) were gathered and screened separately from the quantitative data. The 
comments to the call for evidence were classified according to the claims made and quantified. 

4. Results of the Open Public Consultation 

The public consultation questionnaire was structured around four main parts: 

•  Part 1 covered cross-sectoral issues related to the Electrification Action Plan, including 
its objectives, barriers to electrification across sectors, and priority policy options. 

•  Part 2 focused on system flexibility, addressing the relevance of demand response and 
storage technologies, the main barriers to their deployment, and related policy options. 

•  Part  3  examined  the  electrification  of  transport,  covering  preferred  decarbonisation 
pathways,  sector-specific  barriers  (including  road,  rail  and  maritime  transport),  and 
policy measures to accelerate deployment. 

•  Part 4 addressed the electrification of heating and cooling in buildings and industry, 
including relevant technologies, key barriers for different building types and industrial 
processes,  and  policy  options  related  to  regulatory  frameworks,  system  design, 
financing, affordability and consumer empowerment. 

4.1 Objectives of an EU Electrification Action Plan 

When asked about  the general  objectives of an  EU Electrification Action Plan,  respondents 
most frequently selected decarbonisation (89 responses) and competitiveness (88) as priority 
objectives. Energy security was also selected by a significant number of respondents (52). 

Energy  affordability  was  selected  by  41  respondents,  while  energy  efficiency  (27), 
environmental  protection  (8)  and  fairness,  consumer  protection  and  empowerment  (2)  were 
selected less frequently. Other objectives were mentioned by 13 respondents. 

What should be the general objective/s of an EU 
electrification action plan?

100
80
60
40
20
0

 
 
 
4.2 Cross-sector barriers to electrification 

Across all sectors, the barrier selected by the largest number of respondents was high upfront 
transition  costs  for  the  electrification  of  end-uses  (205),  clearly  standing  out  from  all  other 
options. 

This  was  followed  by  insufficient  electricity  grid  capacity  (141),  length  and  complexity  of 
administrative and permitting procedures (119), and high upfront costs or delays to connect to 
the grid (113). 

Price-related  barriers  were  also  frequently  cited,  including  unfavourable  tax  treatment  of 
electricity compared to fossil fuels (99), unfavourable retail price ratios (89), and uncertainty 
about future electricity prices compared to fossil fuels (86). 

Other  barriers,  such  as  insufficient  policy  signals  (69),  high  network  tariffs  (70)  and  weak 
implementation of the current regulatory framework (63) were selected less frequently. 

4.3 Policy options to accelerate electrification of energy demand 

EU policy framework 

Within  the  EU  policy  framework,  respondents  most  frequently  selected  additional  public 
financing  (182)  and  implementation  of  the  current  EU  regulatory  framework  (180).  These 
options  received  significantly  more  support  than  adaptation  of  the  current  legislative 
framework  towards  2030  (105)  or  the  introduction  of  a  new  legislative  framework  towards 
2040 (82). 

General policy design measures 

The  most  frequently  selected  policy  design  measures  were  accelerating  and  simplifying 
permitting  procedures  (173)  and  revising  energy  taxation  in  favour  of  electricity  (149), 
followed by removing non-energy related costs from electricity bills (124). Other measures, 
such  as  adopting  EU  targets  for  electrification  (87)  or  for  non-fossil  flexibility  (49),  were 
selected less frequently. 

Access to grid and flexibility 

Regarding access to the grid and flexibility, respondents most frequently selected increasing 
grid  capacity  (167)  and  enabling  timely  grid  connections  (133).  Network  tariffs  promoting 
flexibility (122) and improving access to participation and remuneration of flexibility services 
(106) were also selected by a substantial number of respondents. 

Financing and investment 

The  highest  number  of  selections  was  recorded  for  increasing  the  availability  of  financial 
instruments  to  cover  upfront  costs  (210),  followed  by  providing  public  grants  or  loans, 
including EU funds, to leverage private investment (191) and measures promoting access to 
renewable electricity, including through PPAs (167). 

4.4 Flexibility, demand response and storage 

Barriers to demand response 

 
 
The  most  frequently  cited  barriers  to  demand  response  were  administrative  and  regulatory 
barriers  (157),  lack  of  remuneration  for  the  provision  of  services  (143)  and  high  initial 
investment  costs  (129).  Insufficient  awareness  or  trust  in  solutions  (116)  and  insufficient 
digitalisation (114) were also selected by a high number of respondents. 

Barriers to storage deployment 

For storage solutions, respondents most frequently identified high initial investment costs (174) 
and grid connection constraints (162) as barriers. These were followed by administrative and 
regulatory barriers (137) and lengthy permitting procedures (109). Double taxation for storage 
(101) and lack of remuneration for services (96) were also selected by a significant number of 
respondents. 

Policy options for increasing system flexibility 

The most frequently selected policy option was effective implementation  of the current  EU 
regulatory  framework  (182),  followed  by  additional  public  financing  (137).  Among  policy 
design  measures,  promoting  digitalisation  and  data  sharing  (191)  and  accelerating  and 
simplifying permitting procedures for storage (186) received the highest number of selections. 
Facilitating  grid  connection  for  flexibility  assets  (195)  was  the  most  selected  option  under 
access to grid and flexibility. 

4.5 Electrification of transport 

For  electric  light-duty  vehicles,  the  most  frequently  cited  barriers  were  lack  of  financial 
incentives  (73),  difficulties  in  securing  an  appropriate  grid  connection  (66)  and  complex 
permitting  procedures  for  the  installation  of  recharging  points  (60).  Lack  of  awareness  and 
behavioural resistance was also selected by a high number of respondents (70). 

By contrast, low technological maturity (14), lack of interoperability (16), lack of access to 
markets for small and mobile assets (14) and vehicle-to-grid metering issues (21) were among 
the least selected barriers. 

What are the priority policies/options for 
accelerating the electrification of transport within 
the EU policy framework?   

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Adaptation of
current legislative
framework
(towards 2030)

 Additional policy
initiatives (non-
regulatory)

 Additional public
financing

 Effective
implementation of
the current EU
regulatory
framework

 New legislative
framework
(towards 2040)

 
 
 
4.6 Electrification of heating and cooling 

Across residential and non-residential buildings, high initial investment costs were the most 
frequently selected barrier (157 for individual dwellings, 150 for apartment buildings, and 147 
for non-residential buildings). 

This was followed by infrastructure-related barriers (64–85 selections depending on building 
type), high financing and operational costs, and insufficient awareness or trust in solutions. 

By contrast, technical barriers, skills-related barriers, and lack of fit-for-purpose technologies 
were selected by a comparatively lower number of respondents across all building categories. 

Regarding policy options, respondents most frequently selected additional public financing and 
implementation of the current EU regulatory framework for both space heating and industrial 
processes.  Faster  and  simpler  permitting  procedures  received  particularly  high  support  for 
industrial applications (115 selections). Under affordability and just transition, protection of 
energy-poor and vulnerable consumers (119) was most frequently selected for space heating, 
while support for demonstration projects (102) and support for skills (85) were most frequently 
selected for industrial processes. 

5. Results of the Call for Evidence 

The call for evidence shows broad and consistent support among respondents for accelerating 
electrification as a central pillar of the EU’s energy policies. Contributions widely highlighted 
electrification as a key enabler for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing dependence 
on  imported  fossil  fuels  and  strengthening  the  competitiveness  and  resilience  of  European 
industry. This overall support was shared across stakeholder groups, although views diverged 
on the future role of gas-based solutions and renewable gases in heating and energy systems. 

A significant number of contributions pointed to economic, regulatory and structural barriers 
slowing down electrification. Respondents frequently referred to unfavourable cost structures, 
including high upfront investment costs, electricity taxation and network charges, as well as an 
insufficiently  levelled  electricity-to-gas  price  ratio.  Grid  capacity  constraints,  lengthy  and 
complex permitting procedures and administrative burdens were also repeatedly identified as 
major  bottlenecks.  In  addition,  many  stakeholders  underlined  that  unclear,  fragmented  or 
unstable policy frameworks increase investment risk and hinder long-term planning. 

Respondents  consistently  stressed  the  need  to  prioritise  the  effective  implementation  and 
enforcement of existing EU legislation, rather than introducing additional frameworks. Many 
contributions called for faster and simpler permitting procedures, greater regulatory coherence 
across Member States  and clearer long-term  policy signals  to  support investment  decisions. 
Enhanced public and private financing, including de-risking instruments, innovative business 
models  and  targeted  use  of  EU  funds,  were  also  frequently  highlighted  as  necessary  to 
accelerate deployment. 

Electrification  was  often  linked  to  the  broader  transformation  of  the  energy  system.  Many 
respondents emphasised the importance of integrating electrification with the deployment of 
renewable  energy,  demand-side  flexibility  and  storage,  as  well  as  with  integrated  planning 

 
 
across electricity, heating and gas networks. Several contributions underlined that flexibility, 
dynamic tariffs and smarter grids are essential to manage rising electricity demand efficiently 
and to reduce overall system costs. 

Furthermore, beyond technical and economic aspects, a great deal of respondents stressed the 
importance  of  affordability,  skills  development  and  social  considerations.  Contributions 
highlighted  workforce  shortages  as  a  growing  challenge  and  called  for  stronger  EU-level 
support for training and upskilling. Ensuring consumer protection, fair cost distribution and 
public acceptance was seen as crucial to securing a just and socially balanced transition. 

Overall, the call for evidence largely reinforces and complements the messages emerging from 
the public consultation, confirming strong support for electrification while also highlighting 
key implementation challenges and areas of divergence. 

6. Stakeholder events 

In the framework of the public consultation different events were organized in 2025 to gather 
additional  inputs  and  exchange  views  with  stakeholders.  On  21-22  October  an  online 
workshop  on  electrification  with  think  tanks  and  academics  was  held,  with  the  first  day 
focusing on horizontal barriers and the buildings sector, while on the second day electrification 
of transport and industry was at the centre of the debate. More than 20 think tanks attended 
the  two-days’  workshop  providing  policy  inputs  based  on  their  recent  research  on 
electrification. The horizontal session made the case for EU electrification for energy security, 
diving into affordability and benefits for households and industry. The horizontal barriers and 
the technical electrification potential for the different demand sectors were presented as well, 
while  the  sectorial  barriers  and  opportunities  were  addressed  in  the  following  sessions  on 
buildings, transport and industry. 

A stakeholder meeting was organised on November 7 and sparked significant interest, drawing 
over  70  in-person  attendees  and  more  than  300  online  participants,  reflecting  the 
substantial engagement and importance of the topic which was portrayed as a core priority for 
security  of  supply,  energy  efficiency,  affordability  and  decarbonisation.  At  the  meeting 
sector associations,  non-profit  organizations,  and  industry  representatives  provided  input  on 
the barriers that hinder further electrification expressing large consensus on the need to reduce 
the price ratio between electricity and gas via taxes and levies. The importance of de-risking 
instruments, flexibility, permitting and access to grids was highlighted in the horizontal session. 
Similar barriers were outlined in the industrial electrification session, where the need to focus 
on  sectors  that  offer  immediate  opportunities  for  electrification,  heat  as  a  service  and  other 
innovative business models or network charges that incentivize flexibility were highlighted. In 
the transport session a large consensus was expressed on the need for policy certainty, and the 
need to incentivise solutions like smart charging and vehicle to grids. 
On November 21, a final stakeholder event was organized in the form of an online workshop 
with  industrial  consumers,  with  around  50  participants  representing  a  wide  range  of 
industrial sectors, such as food and drinks, metals including aluminium, iron and steel, pulp 

 
 
 
and paper, glass manufacturing, the chemical sector, and more. Beyond industry, the flexibility 
and electricity supply sectors were also represented. Two sessions shed light first on available 
technologies  and  economic  potential  of  electrification,  where  low  temperature  heat  was 
depicted  as  having  the  highest  potential  with  existing  technologies,  and  examples  of  cost-
effective  business  models  for  electrification  were  presented.  Then,  the  focus  was  on  the 
potential for industrial flexibility, and the technical potential revenues that can be generated 
from demand flexibility were described for five energy-intensive industries, and stakeholders 
highlighted the importance of the right price signals and possible support schemes to deploy 
industrial demand flexibility. 

7. Conclusions 

The  open  public  consultation  and  the  call  for  evidence  results  show  strong  and  consistent 
support and commitment  for accelerating electrification across  different  sectors as a  central 
pillar of the EU’s  energy transition.  Stakeholders clearly prioritise investment  affordability, 
grid readiness, regulatory simplification and effective implementation of existing frameworks. 

The  findings  highlight  the  need  for  a  coherent  and  integrated  Electrification  Action  Plan 
combining implementation of the current EU framework, attention to upfront costs, flexibility, 
social considerations and market design to unlock the full potential of electrification in support 
of the EU’s climate, competitiveness and energy security objectives.