This Week in Energy — Brussels (#24, 2026)
Steel safeguard regulation enters into force; EU grids package gains Council backing; Historic tripartite agreement on energy storage; Critical Raw Materials Act amended; Energy Charter Treaty update.
June 21, 2026 to June 27, 2026
Steel safeguard regulation enters into force; EU grids package gains Council backing; Historic tripartite agreement on energy storage; Critical Raw Materials Act amended; Energy Charter Treaty update.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On June 29, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Union’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors particularly in the area of health and amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 1394/2007, (EU) No 536/2014, (EU) 2019/6, (EU) 2024/795 and (EU) 2024/1938 (European Biotech Act).
European Commission
Commission launches first EU tripartite agreement to accelerate energy storage
On 25 June, at Luxembourg, the European Commission brought together energy ministers, storage developers, manufacturers, renewables developers, energy-consuming industries, and financial institutions to sign the first pan-European tripartite agreement on energy storage. The agreement, coordinated by the Commission, aims to scale up energy storage capacity in the short term, targeting 30–35 GW in new pledges from 22 Member States over two years. Developers and industries will provide annual pipeline estimates, while Member States pledged to remove barriers and support storage rollout with cost-reflective network tariffs and, where needed, financial backing under national and EU schemes such as the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF). National and regional banks will collaborate with the EIB to mobilise capital for storage, and the Commission will support funding and regulatory reform via the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank and the Innovation Fund, as well as network rule updates. Progress will be tracked annually until 2028.
Commission proposes to simplify energy and tyre labelling
On 23 June 2026, the Commission proposed revisions to the energy and tyre labelling framework for consumer goods, intended to clarify responsibilities and enable more flexible, digital options for label display without lowering standards. The draft regulation follows implementation reports and aims to reduce administrative costs by up to €125 million annually by streamlining requirements for retailers and surveillance authorities. The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) will play a central role, enabling digital information exchange. Changes include revised requirements for label display at purchase, expanded use of QR codes, and simplifications for non-retail business-to-business sales.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1384: EU addresses global steel overcapacity with new import safeguards
Published on 24 June 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 establishes a new Union framework for tariff quotas and a 50% out-of-quota duty in response to persistent global steel overcapacity, replacing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159. Annual quotas cover key steel products and will be distributed per product and country, reflecting 2013 market shares and managed by the Commission and Member States. The Regulation sets delegated powers for the Commission to amend quotas between 14.4 and 22.2 million tonnes, with criteria including decarbonisation progress and market disruptions. Imports from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are exempt, as are certain bilateral safeguard arrangements.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1386: Harmonisation of foreign investment screening in energy, transport, and critical sectors
Regulation (EU) 2026/1386, adopted 17 June and published 26 June, introduces minimum harmonised requirements for screening foreign investments in the Union across critical infrastructure, energy storage, transport, digital networks, and strategic raw materials. The Regulation repeals Regulation (EU) 2019/452 and mandates Member States to establish screening mechanisms for identified sectors by 17 January 2028, including prior authorisation, risk-based reviews, and cooperation mechanisms for cross-border notifications. The Regulation sets criteria for screening, details procedural timelines, database requirements, and clarifies thresholds for sectoral screening.
Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty enters into force
On 26 June 2026, the EU published notice of the entry into force of the Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty, signed in Brussels on 18 February 2026. The Agreement clarifies aspects of the Treaty in line with evolving energy policy and international law; it enters into force on 25 June 2026, as per Article 6(1).
EU Council
Council agrees on negotiating position for European grids package
On 26 June 2026, energy ministers in the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council concluded Council's negotiating mandate for the European grids package. Exchanges of views focused on post-2030 energy decarbonisation and impacts of regional crises on the energy sector.
EP Committee Work
ITRE Committee: MEPs support amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)
On 24 June 2026, the Industry, Research and Energy Committee approved amendments to the CRMA, aiming to secure strategic raw materials supply chains. The revised scheme introduces price-stabilisation mechanisms and conditional export controls for permanent-magnet waste, alongside measures for joint stockpiling and expanded project support across the value chain. Committee rapporteur Mohammed Chahim (S&D, Netherlands) underscored the need for enhanced resilience and strategic autonomy.
What We're Reading This Week
- Video. Russian-occupied Crimea suspends petrol sales amid fuel crisis: Fuel shortages in Russian-controlled Crimea have prompted authorities to halt petrol sales to most civilians, disrupting daily life and transport.
- EU countries want oil exploration to be classed as a green investment: EU member states push to label oil exploration as a sustainable investment, raising concerns over climate commitments and greenwashing.
