EuroWire, LUXEMBOURG: The European Investment Bank Group said on April 23 that its boards had approved €10 billion in new financing, including almost €2 billion for projects aimed at speeding Europe’s clean energy transition, improving affordability and supporting competitiveness. The package places new lending behind renewable power, energy savings and electricity networks as the European Union pushes to reduce exposure to imported fossil fuels and strengthen energy security after prolonged market strains linked to the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
The clean energy portion includes loans to support offshore wind production in Germany, solar energy in Italy and faster use of renewable power by businesses in Austria. It also finances upgrades to heating systems in Latvia and grid improvements in the Netherlands that expand capacity for renewables and add charging capacity for electric vehicles. Together, the projects target three of the main pressure points in the transition: electricity generation, efficiency and networks, which EU policymakers have identified as central to lowering costs and strengthening supply security.
The EIB Group said the approvals align with European Commission measures adopted in March and April to speed investment in homegrown energy and modernise the power system. Those measures include the Commission’s Clean Energy Investment Strategy, adopted on March 10, and its AccelerateEU plan, published on April 22, which set out steps to mobilise more capital, cut dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports and help shield consumers and businesses from energy price shocks.
EIB expands Europe’s energy investment drive
The European Commission has said Europe will need about €660 billion a year in energy sector investment between 2026 and 2030, rising to €695 billion a year from 2031 to 2040, far above the €240 billion annual average recorded from 2011 to 2021. To support that effort, the European Investment Bank is set to provide more than €75 billion in financing over three years under the clean energy investment strategy, with a focus on grids, innovative technologies and energy efficiency measures.
Beyond energy, about €8 billion of the newly approved financing will back urban development, business competitiveness and rail and road transport projects, including city regeneration in Belgium, road upgrades in Romania and business investment in Bulgaria, Italy and Spain. The European Investment Fund, part of the EIB Group, also approved new guarantee and securitisation agreements intended to expand financing for European companies, alongside equity investments focused on security and defence, energy and gender equality and eight TechEU operations for innovators.
Broader package extends beyond EU borders
Outside the European Union, the package includes financing for agricultural businesses in Benin and for expanded broadband internet access across Sub-Saharan Africa. The EIB Group said those operations support the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and were approved in the same board package as the European clean energy and infrastructure measures. The largest share of the financing round remained focused on projects in Europe, with the clean energy tranche standing alongside transport, business and urban investment across several member states.
Owned by the EU’s 27 member states, the EIB Group is the bloc’s financing arm and said it signed €100 billion in new financing and advisory services in 2025 for more than 870 projects across its priority areas. The latest €10 billion package adds new lending for power, transport, urban renewal and business investment as the European Commission presses for faster deployment of clean, homegrown energy and stronger grid capacity across the bloc.