-- The European Union on Wednesday unveiled a new "AccelerateEU" initiative aimed at accelerating Europe's shift to clean energy, strengthening energy security, and protecting households and industry from price shocks amid the Middle East conflict.
European Commission executive vice-president Teresa Ribera said the latest energy crisis underlined the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and prevent energy from being used as a "tool of domination or war."
"Accelerating our energy plans is important also in terms of security - energy security and economic security," Ribera said at a press conference on Wednesday, adding that Europe must build a system based on "clean, homegrown solutions, electrification and efficiency."
Renewable energy generation in Europe rose to a record level in Q1, up 15% from a year earlier, Ribera said, pointing to growing momentum behind the transition.
AccelerateEU's plan outlines five areas of action, including coordinated emergency measures, consumer protection, faster deployment of clean energy, upgrades to electricity grids, and efforts to attract investment into the transition.
EU member states will retain the ability to introduce targeted and temporary support measures, under a revised state aid framework, to help households and businesses most affected by high energy prices.
The Commission proposed steps, including preventing disconnections, promoting energy savings and introducing social leasing schemes for clean technologies such as electric vehicles.
Ribera said the bloc would also prioritize social fairness, ensuring the benefits of the energy transition, such as lower bills and improved supply security, are accessible to all citizens.
Meanwhile, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said that the impact of the ongoing conflict could intensify in the coming months, with fossil fuel import costs already surging.
"Since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East, our fossil fuel import bill has increased by over 24 billion euros ($28.1 billion). That's more than 500 million euros per day," Jorgensen said.
Jorgensen said that the EU would work with member states to refill gas storage ahead of winter without putting additional pressure on markets, while also ensuring adequate fuel supplies, including for aviation.
He highlighted measures already adopted across the bloc, including energy vouchers for low-income households, tax cuts to encourage heat pump adoption, and financial incentives for energy efficiency.
Jorgensen called on European governments to prioritize investments in clean technologies over fossil fuel subsidies, arguing that such spending delivers both immediate relief and long-term savings.
"We shouldn't simply burn taxpayers' money on fossil fuel subsidies," he said. "We should use it to build up modern technologies that add value year after year."