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Energy to remain a priority EU policy area in 2026

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EU energy policy is set to stay high on the political agenda next year, according to the Commission Work programme for 2026. Outlining the major initiatives foreseen for next year, the programme entitled ‘Europe's independence moment' focuses on actions that will deepen Single Market integration, thus supporting competitiveness, growth and economic resilience. The energy sector will remain central in this work, building on this year’s initiatives - the Clean Industrial Deal (and the Affordable Energy Acton Plan). 

Based on the tentative timing given in the programme, the Electrification Strategy, including a specific Heating and Cooling initiative and the Energy Security Package, have been included for the 1st quarter of 2026. Specific public consultations on all of these initiatives have already been opened/held this autumn – see Have Your Say. 

In the second half of the year attention will turn to the new objectives and plans for the Energy Union in the decade after 2030. The programme states that this will include legislative proposals on the Energy Union Governance, Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Efficiency Directive and the CO2 transportation infrastructure and market. 

An additional strategy for setting up the first fusion power plants in Europe has been included with a specific adoption date yet to be confirmed.

Finally, in the context of the ongoing attempt to simplify EU legislation in all policy areas, the so-called Energy Omnibus will focus on simplifying energy product legislation and is scheduled for Q2 2026. 

These elements come in addition to the Grids Package, the Citizens Energy Package and the Clean Energy Investment Strategy, which are provisionally intended for publication before the end of 2025.  

On housing, the programme states that the Commission will put forward a series of measures to address the affordability and cost of living crisis facing Europeans, such as a new initiative to tackle issues related to short-term rentals.

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