EU: against the energy crisis flexibility and help for the most exposed sectors

To address the energy situation, among the proposals made by the European Commission to tackle Europe's dependence on fossil fuels in the short term and in the longer term is that of greater flexibility on State aid. As specified in a Brussels note, "the Commission will also adopt a temporary framework for state aid, which will provide more flexibility to national governments, including emergency measures to support the most exposed economic sectors". In addition, "protecting consumers, including the industrial sector, from price spikes" may "include targeted income support programmes, energy vouchers and social leasing programmes, reducing excise duties on electricity for vulnerable households".

Moreover, according to the Commission, faced with the fact that "for the second time in less than five years, Europeans are paying the price for Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels" the "Commission will help Member States to make the best use of available EU funding" to "accelerate the transition to clean and locally produced energy". The European Commission emphasises that "however, public funds alone will not be sufficient to cover the huge investment needs (EUR 660 billion per year until 2030) for the energy transition". With this in mind, "to mobilise private investment, the Commission has therefore adopted a clean energy investment strategy in March 2026. The Commission will organise a Vertice on Clean Energy Investment that will bring together the financial services sector, including key institutional investors, industry leaders, project developers and public financing bodies to accelerate private financing".

Among the measures recommended by the European Commission in the 'Accelerate Eu' plan, adopted to tackle the energy crisis linked to the war in the Middle East, are energy vouchers for the most vulnerable households, cheaper public transport and reduced heating. The package focuses on a voluntary reduction in consumption, especially in the most energy-intensive sectors such as heating and mobility. Compared to the drafts circulated in recent days, the invitation to impose at least one compulsory teleworking day on companies has been eliminated. Among other indications, Brussels suggests targeted tax incentives - including social leasing for the most fragile families - to encourage the diffusion of clean technologies such as batteries, photovoltaic panels, heat pumps and high-efficiency windows. Space is also given to solutions for sustainable mobility, with the strengthening of car sharing and the promotion of electric vehicles.

From Brussels also comes the non-binding call to consider the introduction of temporary targeted regulated prices for vulnerable households, to introduce targeted cuts in excise duties on electricity and to facilitate switching to cheaper contracts. Looking at business, the executive suggests the promotion of financing programmes for renewable energy and efficiency. Compared to the drafts circulated in recent days, the invitation to keep public buildings closed when possible and to oblige companies to avoid air travel for business purposes, minimising flights for public sector employees has also been removed. Also excluded from the final communication was the suggestion to promote traffic-restricted zones to encourage sustainable mobility and to organise car-free days or alternate access days for private cars in cities.

In addition, the Commission specifies, a new Fuels Observatory will be established to monitor production, imports, exports and stock levels of transport fuels in the EU. This will enable the early identification of potential shortages and, in the event of the release of emergency stocks, targeted measures to maintain a balanced distribution of fuels. As an initial priority of the Observatory, the Commission will coordinate with Member States, fuel suppliers and the aviation sector (airports and airlines) to find alternative sources of aviation fuel and propose measures to optimise its distribution among Member States to ensure its availability in all regions and at all airports. The Commission will assess the need to revise the EU rules on strategic stocks to include specific requirements for aviation fuel. In addition, the Commission will issue clarifications on existing flexibilities in the EU aviation legislative framework, in particular with regard to rules on airport slots, in-flight refuelling, public service obligations and the use of other imported fuels, in order to address the consequences of potential fuel shortages on aviation operations, ensuring the proper functioning of the single market and the security of essential air connectivity. Should the situation deteriorate and existing flexibilities no longer suffice, the Commission will propose, where justified, temporary changes to the EU legislative framework.