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AccelerateEU
AccelerateEU
In April 2026 the European Commission released its AccelerateEU strategy to strengthen Europe’s energy resilience, especially in the context of volatile fossil fuel markets, building on previous approaches of the REPowerEU. The Strategy aims to address high energy prices and to accelerate the clean energy transition.
The Strategy builds on five pillars:
Closer coordination amongst EU member states, especially in the area of current fossil fuel use. This includes building on existing cooperation on gas storage filling, in addition to exceptional oil stock releases and coordination of national measures and rules. A new Fuel Observatory will be established to track EU production, imports and exports and current stocks, thereby making EU markets more flexible and resilient.
Protecting consumers and businesses, through timely and temporary measures, such as targeted income support schemes, lowering excise duties on electricity. Linked to this measure, the Commission is also updating its State Ad Temporary Framework to provide extra flexibility for national governments.
Advancing homegrown energy, especially in the field of renewables, not least through encouraging increased manufacturing capacities and investment. This pillar also includes actions related to removing barriers to the electrification of industry, transport and buildings.
Energy system optimisation, including through the implementation of the EU Grids Package, not least the Energy Highways initiative. The Commission will also propose a legislative proposal on network charges and taxation.
Boosting investment, scaling up private capital for the clean energy transition and channelling public funding both at EU and national levels. The Commission links these measures with the Clean Energy Investment Strategy adopted in March 2026.
What’s in it for hydrogen?
The AccelerateEU strategy explicitly acknowledges the role of hydrogen as a clean, homegrown source of energy to replace oil and gas, a process which the Commission also says must be accelerated.
Furthermore, it commits to a “targeted review of the production criteria” – namely the RED III Delegated Acts defining renewable hydrogen – in light of the “slower than expected ramp-up” of the sector. This review is set to take place in Q2 2026. This expedited review will be significant for hydrogen producers, as in certain countries the revised rules could mean a production cost decrease of up to €3 per kilogram of hydrogen.
Links to Legislation and additional information:
AccelerateEU Communication
