The European Commission has unveiled a new set of initiatives to strengthen access to affordable, secure and clean energy for all Europeans, placing citizens, cities and local authorities at the centre of the clean energy transition. The measures, presented as part of the Citizens’ Energy Package and a renewed push on energy efficiency financing, are highly relevant for Europe’s cities as they scale up integrated, market-ready solutions through the Smart Cities Marketplace.
The Citizens’ Energy Package aims to reduce energy bills, address energy poverty and empower citizens to actively participate in the energy transition. It complements the EU’s Action Plan for Affordable Energy by focusing on fairer electricity markets, clearer consumer information and support for energy communities. For cities, these measures reinforce the importance of local action in translating EU policy into tangible benefits for households, businesses and urban neighbourhoods, particularly in a context of persistent price volatility and social vulnerability.
Urban areas play a critical role in delivering affordable energy, as they concentrate the majority of Europe’s population, building stock and energy demand. The Commission underlines that high energy prices disproportionately affect vulnerable households, many of whom live in poorly performing buildings in cities. By enabling faster switching between suppliers, reducing electricity taxes and levies where possible, and strengthening citizen participation, the new measures support cities in designing inclusive energy strategies that combine affordability with decarbonisation.
In parallel, the Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating energy efficiency investments, with a strong emphasis on building renovation. A comprehensive support package has been presented to unlock private capital, reduce investment risks and scale up renovation activity across Europe. This is particularly relevant for cities, where improving the energy performance of buildings is one of the most effective ways to lower energy demand, reduce emissions and improve living conditions.
A cornerstone of this approach is the promotion of one-stop shops for building renovation and energy efficiency. These one-stop shops are designed to provide integrated technical, financial and administrative support to homeowners, tenants and building managers. For cities and regions, they represent a practical delivery mechanism to overcome fragmentation, simplify renovation pathways and bring together public authorities, market actors and financial institutions. The Commission has confirmed that all Member States are expected to make such services available, supported by EU funding and the exchange of best practices
The new measures also align closely with the objectives of the Smart Cities Marketplace, which supports cities in developing and scaling up integrated solutions across energy, mobility and the built environment. By strengthening access to finance, reducing administrative complexity and placing citizens at the heart of the transition, the Commission’s initiatives create more favourable conditions for the uptake of innovative business models and large-scale investment programmes in urban areas.
Overall, the Commission’s announcements send a clear signal that affordable energy, energy efficiency and citizen empowerment are central pillars of Europe’s competitiveness and climate objectives. For cities engaged in the Smart Cities Marketplace, they provide renewed policy backing to accelerate implementation, mobilise investment and deliver clean energy solutions that improve quality of life while supporting a just and inclusive transition.
Commission to boost access to affordable and clean energy for all Europeans
The Commission reaffirms its commitment to boost energy efficiency financing - Energy
One-stop shops for building renovation and energy efficiency - Energy