Commission publishes 'fitness check' on EU laws covering the security of electricity and gas supply in view of future revision

A “fitness check” on energy security has been published by the Commission, evaluating the key EU regulations on the security of gas supply and electricity risk preparedness. The two regulations date from 2017 and 2019 respectively, before the energy crisis that affected the gas and electricity sectors in particular. 

The comprehensive document provides an analysis of EU legislation on security of electricity and gas supply, drawing lessons from past crises and looking at future challenges. It is an important first step in revising the legislative framework on energy security of gas and electricity, with Commission proposals planned for publication in the first half of 2026.

The report concludes that the regulations contributed positively to a stable, secure and uninterrupted energy supply and protected the most vulnerable and critical customers.

It also concludes that it was necessary for the EU to adopt additional emergency regulations to address the 2021-2023 energy crisis. This points to the need for a stronger set of rules to ensure the EU is prepared for future crises. 

The report highlights the need for a more robust and cross-sectoral approach to security of gas and electricity supply, learning lessons from both the energy crisis and the blackout across the Iberian Peninsula in April 2025. 

Building on these conclusions, the upcoming revision of the energy security framework aims to ensure that the EU energy system is sufficiently secure and resilient in a fast-evolving energy, climate and geopolitical context. The framework needs to be adapted to address increasingly complex and forward-looking challenges. 

By undertaking such a detailed review, the Commission has a more comprehensive understanding of emerging risks to the energy system, such as protection of critical energy infrastructure against physical and cyber threats, climate-related risks, and the implications of a shifting geopolitical landscape. 

The exercise also benefitted from a call for evidence and a public consultation, where a broad range of stakeholders and citizens expressed their views on the past and future of the EU’s energy security architecture, which fed into the analysis.

Related Links 

• Fitness check
• Security of gas supply
• Security of electricity supply

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