In 2022, the number of battery-only electric passenger cars in the EU countries almost reached 3.0 million, which is a +55% increase compared with 2021 (1.9 million). The highest annual rate of increase in battery-only electric passenger cars in the period 2013-2022 was noted between 2019 and 2020 (+85%), followed by the increase in 2021 […]
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Council and Parliament reach deal to Reform of electricity market design
The reform of the electricity market is the EU’s long-term response to the energy crisis experienced in 2022. Despite a high share of renewables in energy generation, high spikes in fossil fuel prices (especially gas) have caused a steep increase in electricity prices. This is due to the functioning of the EU electricity market, where the price of […]
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New rules to boost energy efficiency in buildings across the EU
The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council to reduce the emissions and energy use of buildings across the EU. The strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will support the EU’s efforts to decarbonise buildings across the whole Union. This is an area in which the concrete impact of […]
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EU leads global initiative at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency measures
At the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai, President Ursula von der Leyen launched the Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency together with the COP28 Presidency and 118 countries. This initiative, first proposed by the Commission President at the Major Economies Forum in April, sets global targets to triple the installed capacity of renewable energy to at least 11 terawatts (TW) and […]
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EU position for COP28
World leaders will gather in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the world climate action summit to kick off the 28th United Nations climate change conference (COP28). From 30 November to 12 December, COP28 will bring together the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These include the EU and all EU member states. […]
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Agreement on internal gas and hydrogen markets
The Council and the Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on the directive to establish common rules for the internal markets in renewable and natural gases and in hydrogen. The directive seeks to facilitate the penetration of renewable and low-carbon gases into the energy system, enabling a shift from natural gas, with a view to […]
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European Commission sets out measures to accelerate the deployment of electricity grids
Interconnected and stable energy networks are the backbone of the EU’s internal energy market and key to enable the green transition. To help deliver the European Green Deal the Commission is proposing today an Action Plan to make sure our electricity grids will operate more efficiently and will be rolled out further and faster. The Commission has already put in place a supportive legal framework for the rollout […]
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Commission approves €1.1 billion Spanish State aid scheme to support investments in equipment necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Spanish scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support […]
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Spain is the EU country where electricity prices fell the most in the first half of 2023
After a significant increase in prices that started before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but skyrocketed through the second semester of 2022, electricity and gas prices are stabilising. The prices of energy rose due to an increase in the price of natural gas, which is considered the marginal fuel. This happened because the imports from […]
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