Category: Policy Watch Europe

Europe’s Energy Security

Europe’s Energy Security

April 27, 2026 | ,

EU energy security policy guarantees that all households and essential services are protected in case of crisis. For this reason, the gas security of supply framework designates households and essential social services. These customer categories in turn receive special protection, to avoid that they are disconnected during an energy crisis. For electricity, EU countries can protect users against disconnection if personal security or public safety are at risk. Even during the worst of times, EU countries are required to help each other out and offer solidarity. This means that EU countries will send gas or electricity to a neighbouring EU country in need.

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UK government to make plug-in solar available within months

UK government to make plug-in solar available within months

March 30, 2026 | , ,

The UK government has introduced rules to step up the drive for clean homegrown power to get the country off dependency on fossil fuel markets in response to the Iran war. The rules aim to ensure the majority of new homes in England will come with solar panels fitted as standard. The move will enable households to save money on bills through plug-in solar panels as the government vows to go further and faster on clean energy in response to conflict in the Middle East. The current conflict is a reminder for the country to end dependence on fossil fuel markets and accelerate the drive for clean, homegrown power, as well as new renewables and nuclear.

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Germany’s 2025 NEP: Adapting grid planning to new market conditions

Germany’s 2025 NEP: Adapting grid planning to new market conditions

March 16, 2026 | ,

Germany has set the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2045, placing its electricity transmission system at the centre of the energy transition. By 2030, installed capacity is expected to reach 215 GW of solar PV, 115 GW of onshore wind and 30 GW of OSW. By 2045, these figures rise to 400 GW of photovoltaics, 160 GW of onshore wind, and 70 GW of OSW. The 2025 NEP anticipates installing large storage capacities between 41 and 94 GW by 2045, which were estimated at 43-55 GW in the earlier plan. Overall, NEP 2037/2045 (2025) marks a decisive shift in Germany’s grid planning philosophy.

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Europe Proposes The European Grids Package

Europe Proposes The European Grids Package

January 19, 2026 | ,

The backbone of the European energy system, the grids infrastructure, will be modernised and expanded to unleash its full potential. The European Grids Package and the Energy Highways initiative, proposed, will enable energy to flow efficiently across all Member States, integrating cheaper clean energy and accelerating electrification. This will support affordable living for all Europeans. It will ensure secure and reliable supply as Europe moves away from Russian energy imports to achieve energy independence.

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Policy Developments in Europe’s Hydrogen Sector

Policy Developments in Europe’s Hydrogen Sector

January 5, 2026 | , ,

Despite numerous project cancellations and postponements, including some striking ones, the European hydrogen sector has seen notable progress. As the market gradually grows, there is a need to develop market rules that govern the use and operation of the hydrogen network. Germany is a front-runner, reflecting its high ambitions, but other Member States are following. Denmark is also developing a financing framework and is working on the access rules for the hydrogen network, while Belgium is currently analysing options for the market design.

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Policies for Agri-PV Development across Europe

Policies for Agri-PV Development across Europe

November 7, 2025 | , ,

European Commission should develop an EU-wide definition and support MS in defining the agrisolar on the national level. Providing a clear definition of agrisolar, which refers to the dual use of land concept, is critical to ensure clarity for farmers, developers and authorities. The NextGeneration EU funds, allocated to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and national public banks, should support the de-risking of innovative renewable projects, including agrisolar.

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Green Transition in Denmark’s Island Communities

Green Transition in Denmark’s Island Communities

November 3, 2025 | ,

The experiences of Fejø, Venø, and other small Danish islands  show a growing tension between two national priorities: protecting nature on one side and advancing  the green transition on the other side. Danish islands are not just passive recipients of national policy; they are practical examples of  innovation, self-sufficiency, and community-driven climate action. However, under the current  approval system, their plans to replace outdated wind turbines and contribute to national climate goals are often slowed or blocked by complex procedures, even when the projects pose minimal  environmental risk. 

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Onshore Grid Competition in UK: Ofgem publishes decision on commercial framework

Onshore Grid Competition in UK: Ofgem publishes decision on commercial framework

October 27, 2025 | , ,

In July 2025, the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, published its final decision and updated policy position on the onshore electricity transmission early competition commercial framework. The latter will apply to CATOs, which will finance, build, operate and maintain assets on the electricity transmission network. The framework is being implemented in line with the Energy Act, 2023, and associated secondary legislation, which created the statutory basis for CATOs. The approach complements the government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, recognising the critical role of timely transmission build-out for integrating renewable generation.

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Policy Developments in Europe’s Biogas Sector

Policy Developments in Europe’s Biogas Sector

October 13, 2025 | , ,

In 2024, EU production of biogases increased 3%. Growth was modest in biogas (1% year on year), but significantly higher for biomethane (14% year on year). The production of biogas, used primarily for electricity and CHP generation, is highly concentrated in Germany (53% of EU production). Following a period of decline, interest in biogas is reviving. Overall, achieving the EU 35-bcm target by 2030 will require a marked acceleration in growth across both mature and emerging markets.

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UK’s Net Zero Policy Evolution

UK’s Net Zero Policy Evolution

August 25, 2025 | ,

The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and the government has adopted a suite of policies to achieve this goal. The UK Government’s first main climate change policy document was the Net Zero Strategy (Build Back Greener), which was published on 19 October 2021 and last updated in April 2022. This strategy was produced by the government as part of its statutory duties under the Climate Change Act 2008. It sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet the government’s net zero target.

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Lithuania Energy Policy Review

Lithuania Energy Policy Review

July 14, 2025 | ,

Energy independence is central to Lithuania’s energy policy, and the country has taken important steps to reduce its dependency on energy imports, including ceasing all imports from Russia since March 2022. However, imported fossil fuels still account for over half of end-use energy consumption. To address the dependence on fossil fuels imports, Lithuania has set ambitious targets for renewable electricity expansion to enable electrification and reduce energy imports. The country is facing a rapid and significant transition of its energy system to enhance security and reduce GHG emissions.

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UK’s Grid Connection Reforms: Focus on delivering the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan

UK’s Grid Connection Reforms: Focus on delivering the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan

June 9, 2025 | ,

In April 2025, the UK’s energy regulator, Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), made changes to the regulatory framework to implement connection reforms, specifically by approving NESO’s Target Model Option 4 (TMO4+) connection reform package. This includes industry code modifications, connections methodologies established under the NESO licence (as amended), and Electricity Standard Licence Condition changes (introduced by Ofgem). Subsequently, in the same month, NESO published the final versions of the connection methodologies – Gate 2 Criteria, Connections Network Design Methodology (CNDM) and Project Designation. These contain minor amendments following Ofgem’s recommendations and will be used to implement the connection reforms. These reforms seek to address long wait times of over 15 years and slow connection rates, which are misaligned with the system’s needs.

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EU closing in on the 2030 climate and energy targets: Commission’s Assessment

EU closing in on the 2030 climate and energy targets: Commission’s Assessment

June 2, 2025 | ,

EU Member States have significantly closed the gap to achieving the 2030 energy and climate targets, according to the European Commission’s assessment of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). EU countries have substantially improved their plans following Commission recommendations in December 2023. As a result, the EU is closing in collectively on a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as committed in the European Climate Law, and reaching a share of at least 42.5% of renewable energy.

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Regulatory support for critical mineral supply in Europe

Regulatory support for critical mineral supply in Europe

May 26, 2025 | , ,

Europe is a significant player in silver, holding nearly 10% of global reserves and accounting for 9% of global production, primarily in Poland. The region also maintains a modest presence in copper, cobalt and nickel, accounting for 5%, 3% and 2% of global mining output (respectively). Future growth potential is contingent on further exploration, technological improvements and regulatory support such as the European Union (EU) Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The market value of Europe’s key energy minerals production currently stands at approximately USD 13 billion for mining and USD 21 billion for refining in 2024, largely due to copper mining and refining.

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Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament

Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament

May 19, 2025 | ,

Landmark bill passes in Parliament as Great British Energy takes another major step forward. Legislation for Britain’s new publicly-owned energy company has passed through Parliament and Great British Energy is set to deliver for working people. Great British Energy will invest in clean power projects across the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change to become a clean energy superpower – helping to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and protect families’ finances. Backed by £8.3 billion over the course of this parliament, the company will speed up the delivery of strategic energy projects and invest alongside the private sector to get new technologies like floating offshore wind up and running as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

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Europe’s Roadmap to End Dependence on Russian Energy Imports

Europe’s Roadmap to End Dependence on Russian Energy Imports

May 12, 2025 | ,

The dependency on Russian energy imports leads to serious security and economic risks for the Union and its Member States, as Russia has continuously used existing energy supply as a weapon to threaten the stability and prosperity of the Union. This Roadmap outlines the EU’s strategy to phase out remaining Russian energy imports. It also sets out a common vision of Europe working together in solidarity to ensure alternative and affordable energy supplies for all Member States, while undertaking joint action to reduce Russian revenues, which fuel its war machine and endangers stability of the continent. Reducing dependency on fossil fuels will further strengthen EU energy security and sovereignty in line with EU climate neutrality objective.

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EU’s Clean Industrial Deal

EU’s Clean Industrial Deal

March 3, 2025 | ,

The Clean Industrial Deal outlines concrete actions to turn decarbonisation into a driver of growth for European industries. This includes lowering energy prices, creating quality jobs and the right conditions for companies to thrive. The Deal presents measures to boost every stage of production, with a focus on:  Energy-intensive industries such as steel, metals, and chemicals, that urgently need support to decarbonise, switch to clean energy, and tackle high costs, unfair global competition, and complex regulations. The clean-tech sector which is at the heart of future competitiveness and necessary for industrial transformation, circularity, and decarbonisation.

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Ireland’s Renewable Energy Policy Review

Ireland’s Renewable Energy Policy Review

February 24, 2025 | , ,

To reach the 80% renewable generation target by 2030, Ireland plans to have 22 GW of renewable electricity capacity installed, up from 6 GW at the end of 2023. Specifically, Ireland has set targets to achieve the deployment of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar PV and at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. Beyond 2030, Ireland expects offshore wind to account for the dominant share of new renewable capacity additions; however, further deployment of new and repowered onshore wind and solar is expected throughout the 2030s.

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Case for Hydrogen Heating in the UK

Case for Hydrogen Heating in the UK

February 17, 2025 | , ,

Hydrogen is a poor option for domestic heating and would substantially increase consumer bills relative to other heating technologies. Promptly ruling out further public spending on domestic hydrogen heating will be critical to secure affordable energy bills, and to enable effective long-term transition planning for networks and workers. The UK must act quickly to put the public interest before those of gas network shareholders. Government has promised to consult in 2025.

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Spain’s Solar Power Policy Framework: IEA Survey

Spain’s Solar Power Policy Framework: IEA Survey

December 9, 2024 | , ,

A limited feed-in premium scheme remained in place for some legacy projects, particularly for centralized solar installations. Approximately 6 GW of PV capacity was still benefiting from this premium scheme. The Spanish government, through programs like the Next Generation EU funds, has provided subsidies to offset the initial costs of installing solar self-consumption. In 2024, the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE) launched the Innovative Renewable Energy Program, providing financial aid for projects focused on renewable energy innovation, energy storage, and the implementation of renewable thermal systems.

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