Delivering the clean energy transition will require €660 billion of investment annually until 2030, rising to €695 billion between 2031 and 2040. Despite the good progress already made, the pace and scale of investments has to increase to ensure Europe’s economy is powered by secure, affordable, and clean energy.
Against this backdrop, the Commission adopted a Clean Energy Investment Strategy (COM/2026/116) to help mobilise significant additional private investment for clean energy.
While public funding plays a vital role as a catalyst, the energy transition will, first and foremost, require the mobilisation of substantially more private capital. By using public financing as a catalyst, the Commission aims to de-risk projects, spread financing costs over time, and attract a wider base of investors, including large-scale institutional capital.
In this context, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group intends to deliver over €75 billion of financing over the next 3 years to support the objectives of the energy transition and this Clean Energy Investment Strategy.
The strategy includes the following 4 measures.
- Improve access to capital markets for electricity grid operators, including access to equity: To do so, the EIB will set up a strategic infrastructure investment fund (SII Fund) that will help to provide much-needed equity to grid operators, based on an indicative commitment of up to €500 million from the EIB. The Commission and the EIB will, together, explore the possibility to set up a facility for operators to securitise their future revenue streams in return for immediate liquidity.
- Support grid operators by supporting the ability of banks to lend: The aim is to increase the use of banks’ loan securitisation and intermediated lending for small operators, together with the EIB.
- Provide targeted public funds to de-risk innovative clean energy technologies and energy-efficiency investments: The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that around 35% of the emission reductions required by 2050 will rely on technologies not yet available on the market. With the EIB, the Commission will step up support for the next generation of clean energy technologies and financing research on small modular nuclear reactors in Europe. This action also involves strengthening energy efficiency financing through InvestEU and by launching a € 500 million pilot scheme to accelerate the offer and uptake of ‘energy efficiency as a service’ models.
- Set up an Energy Transition Investment Council with the investment community: To support long-term private investment in the energy sector, not least by ensuring public policy is aligned with investor needs. The Council will be convened by the Commissioner for Energy and Housing later this year.
The forthcoming energy and climate framework for the decade ahead will further clarify the scope and nature of the necessary investments. Meanwhile, the EU’s 2028–2034 long-term budget and national support schemes will serve as further strategic levers to de-risk projects, reduce financing costs, and ensure public funds amplify, rather than replace, private investment.
