Joint Industry Reaction Paper to the Electrification Action Plan
On 17 July 2026, the European Commission presented its Communication on the “Electrification Action Plan” (EAP), defining a list of specific actions to secure Europe’s resilience and security while supporting EU competitiveness. The signatories of this declaration support these goals and recognise the role of electrification in the process.
Between 2010 and 2025, the EU’s electrification rate increased from 21% to 23%. The Action Plan envisages raising this share to 46% by 2040, implying more than a tenfold acceleration of the historical pace of electrification over a comparable timeframe. Renewable and low-carbon gases are widely recognised in European energy transition scenarios as an integral part of the future energy mix, particularly in sectors that cannot be efficiently electrified. Consequently, the discussion on increasing the rate of electrification cannot be separated from the discussion on the development of gas infrastructure, its transformation to accommodate renewable and low-carbon gases, and the related investments required for repurposing and further network development.
A successful decarbonisation strategy should be based on the most efficient combination of energy carriers and technologies, considering the full costs and benefits for the energy system and consumers. Renewable and low-carbon molecules will be necessary to achieve a timely, inclusive, secure and cost-effective decarbonisation, while also growing the Union’s strategic autonomy. Hence, we urge the Commission to:
- Enhance energy security by leveraging renewable and low-carbon fuel potential and existing infrastructure.
- Energy security through complementarity & flexibility before substitution.
- Pursue tailored solutions, effective local cross-sector planning, and consumer empowerment to ensure cost-efficient decarbonisation.
- Reconcile competitiveness and the energy transition
- Ensure security of supply to all European citizens. Security of supply should be a key consideration in the design of future energy policies.
