Electrifying EU: from Commission plans to real progress

This session is part of the EUI Climate Week 2026

Electrification is one of the EU’s most powerful levers for decarbonisation, enhancing energy security and boosting industrial competitiveness. By electrifying the economy based on zero-emission sources, the use of fossil fuels can be limited and the emissions can be significantly reduced.

Currently electricity accounts for only 25% of the EU’s final energy consumption. In 2024, more than 47% of electricity generation came from renewable energy sources. The share of renewables in the electricity mix is growing rapidly, although it continues to face numerous barriers, from insufficient grid development to limited system flexibility and high costs.

This session, as part of the EUI Climate Week, aims to address the question of what factors are slowing Europe’s electrification, which reforms are needed to accelerate it, and how affordable electricity prices for households and businesses can be ensured.

Chair: Joanna Pandera (European University Institute and Forum Energii)

Speakers:

·      Leonardo Meeus (European University Institute)

·      Marco Mensink (Cefic)

·      Monika Morawiecka (RAP)

·      Jan Rosenow (Oxford University)

Conclusion: Joanna Pandera (European University Institute and Forum Energii)

More information and the full programme of the EUI Climate Week 2026 can be found here.