Sector & service specialists

Europe’s energy sector spans competing interests from renewables, nuclear, oil, and gas through to electricity distribution. The geopolitical disruption triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine produced a fundamental reset: the REPowerEU Plan successfully reduced EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels, diversified supply toward LNG from the US, Qatar, and Norway, and dramatically accelerated renewables deployment. According to the European Commission’s own Affordable Energy data, clean energy sources generated approximately 70% of EU electricity in 2025 – a record share – with wind and solar overtaking fossil fuels at around 30% versus 26%. 

The key 2026 policy framework for energy is the Commission’s AccelerateEU Communication, presented at the Cyprus informal summit in April 2026 and building on the Clean Industrial Deal and Affordable Energy Action Plan. It combines short-term emergency tools to reduce energy costs with structural measures to accelerate electrification and build resilience. An Electrification Action Plan is due by summer 2026. A Grids Plan aims to modernise energy infrastructure. The Commission has also committed to a Clean Energy Investment Strategy and will hold a Clean Energy Investment Summit later in 2026. 

Nuclear energy has undergone the most dramatic political rehabilitation. The March 2026 Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) calculates that €241 billion of nuclear investment will be required by 2050 – including lifetime extensions, new large reactors, and small modular reactors. The Commission has created a €200 million guarantee to support private investment in SMRs. The Commission’s Energy Package now explicitly identifies nuclear as a key component of decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness, and security of supply. Nuclear trade association nucleareurope welcomed the technology-neutral approach of the Clean Industrial Deal. 

Solar deployment continues at record pace, though growth is decelerating. Wind is set to become the EU’s leading electricity source before 2030 – the target is 35% of electricity from wind by 2030. But electrification of industry is stalling: only 31% of EU industrial energy use currently comes from electricity. With over 50 Brussels trade associations focused on energy, and six of the top 20 corporate affairs spenders being energy companies, this remains one of the most intensely lobbied sectors in Brussels.