The Commission presented an Electrification Action Plan to make Europe the first electro-powered continent, and a stronger carbon market to support EU's industry in the clean transition and electrification.

Europe's reliance on imported fossil fuels has repeatedly exposed it to geopolitical shocks. These have driven up energy prices for both households and companies and dragged down our competitiveness. While 70% of EU electricity is now generated from homegrown clean energy sources, the electrification rate of energy demand has stalled at 23% over the past decade. We therefore need to accelerate the electrification of energy-using sectors, notably industry, transport and buildings.

Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: 

The best way to reduce Europe's fossil energy dependency is to power our economy with electricity from clean, homegrown sources. Today we are proposing to make Europe the world's first electro-powered continent. From lowering electricity prices to adapting our carbon market to the changing global realities, this is also an investment and independence plan. To keep the clean transition on track, bring relief to our industry, and support decarbonisation. Let's switch it on.

More information is available in the press material online: 

• Press release: Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence with Electrification Action Plan and ETS review 
• Questions and answers on ETS review 
• Questions and answers on Electrification Action Plan and network charges 
• A factsheet on ETS 
• A factsheet on electrification and network charges

Watch the press conference by Executive Vice-President Ribera and Commissioners Hoekstra and Jørgensen on EBS.