To successfully transition to clean energy, Europe requires annual investments of €660 billion through 2030, a figure that will climb to €695 billion for the 2031–2040 period. While significant progress has been achieved, the velocity and scale of these investments must be ramped up to ensure the European economy is supported by affordable, secure, and sustainable energy.
In response to these requirements, the Commission has adopted the Clean Energy Investment Strategy (COM/2026/116) today, designed to unlock substantial private capital for the clean energy sector.
Although public funding is essential as a catalyst, the energy transition primarily depends on the mobilization of much larger volumes of private investment. By utilizing public finance to de-risk projects, we aim to spread financing costs over time and attract a broader base of <a To ensure that Europe’s economy is powered by secure, affordable and clean energy, we have to step up the pace and scale of investments. Public financing alone is not enough. We must strategically leverage private capital. With our Clean Energy Investment Strategy, backed by over €75 billion of financing by the European Investment Bank, we will de-risk projects and attract a broader range of investors to help finance clean technologies, energy efficiency and modern infrastructure such as grids that will underpin the clean energy transition. This strategy is the step change we need in energy investments for our competitiveness, <a
President for EIB Group, Nadia Calviño, said:
‘EIB Group investment is supporting an energy revolution in full swing, with projects that lower bills for businesses and households, create jobs across industries and ensure Europe is leading the way into tomorrow’s world. Clean power cuts the dependence of European economies on fossil fuel imports, and their volatile price swings, and cements the EU’s energy sovereignty and independence.’
The strategy consists of the following 4 measures.
Improve access to capital markets for electricity grid operators, including access to equity: To achieve this, the EIB will establish a strategic infrastructure investment fund (SII Fund) to provide essential equity to grid operators, supported by an indicative EIB commitment of up to €500 million. The Commission and the EIB will jointly explore creating a facility that allows operators to securitize future revenue streams in exchange for immediate liquidity.
Support grid operators by supporting the ability of banks to lend: The objective is to increase the utilization of bank loan securitization and intermediated lending for smaller operators, in collaboration with the EIB.
Provide targeted public funds to de-risk innovative clean energy technologies and energy-efficiency investments: The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that approximately 35% of the emission reductions needed by 2050 will depend on technologies that are not yet commercially available. Working with the EIB, the Commission will increase support for next-<a energy efficiency as a service' models.
Set up an Energy Transition Investment Council with the investment community: This council aims to foster long-term private investment in the energy sector by ensuring that public policy remains aligned with investor requirements. The Commissioner for Energy and Housing will convene the Council later this year.
The upcoming energy and climate framework for the next decade will provide further clarity regarding the scope and nature of required investments. Meanwhile, the EU’s 2028–2034 long-term budget and national support programs will act as additional strategic levers to de-risk projects, lower financing costs, and ensure that public funds serve to amplify, rather than replace, private investment.
