With the arrival of 2026, the European Union is decisively accelerating its strategic autonomy agenda. This concept—understood as the ability to act independently in critical sectors—has become a central pillar of EU policy, responding to an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment and Europe’s historical dependence on third countries in key areas.
In the coming months, we will witness a series of regulatory milestones, public investment programs, and industrial decisions that will mark a turning point in this strategy. Below, we outline the main levers driving this process in 2026 and how, from A&G’s alternative investments division, we identify opportunities aligned with these structural macrotrends.
1. Energy Independence: Diversification, Electrification, and Sovereign Sources
The war in Ukraine acted as a definitive catalyst for European energy policy. Since then, the EU has rapidly advanced efforts to diversify its supply and reduce exposure to imported fossil fuels.
One key milestone occurred on January 1, 2026, with the formal ban on Russian natural gas imports, starting with liquefied natural gas. This transition is supported by initiatives such as ReSourceEU, which allocates nearly €3 billion to strengthening clean energy supply chains and associated technologies.
In parallel, the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) channels public investment into scaling renewable technologies developed in Europe, while the Critical Energy Infrastructure Directive (CER), effective in 2026, requires systematic assessment of critical energy infrastructure resilience, supported financially by the Connecting Europe Facility.
Additionally, the full implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduces tariff protection against emissions-intensive imports, helping preserve the competitiveness of European industry.
At A&G, through our sustainable infrastructure capabilities, we actively support energy independence in two main areas:
2. Technological Sovereignty and Supply Chain Control
Dependence on external technological infrastructure is now considered a systemic risk for the European economy. In response, the European Commission has launched an ambitious package of funding and regulation aimed at regaining strategic capabilities.
In digital infrastructure, Europe promotes sovereign cloud computing through the IPCEI on Cloud Services (IPCEI-CIS), fostering edge computing architectures that process data near its origin under European jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the European Chips Act mobilizes €6.2 billion to attract major semiconductor manufacturing plants to the EU. From January 2026, a new round of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act will ensure the supply of lithium, rare earths, and other essential inputs for the energy and digital transition.
Artificial intelligence is another key pillar. From August 2026, AI systems must comply with the AI Act, which sets transparency and risk management standards. Deployment is financially supported by the Digital Europe Programme, which allocates €1.3 billion for 2025–2027.
3. Space as a Strategic Security Domain
The approval of the EU Space Act consolidates space as a crucial area for European security, defense, and strategic autonomy.
In surveillance and connectivity, the EU is advancing the deployment of the IRIS² constellation, designed to ensure secure and resilient communications, while continuing to strengthen flagship programs such as Galileo (navigation) and Copernicus (Earth observation).
From a technological leadership perspective, Artemis II, scheduled for February 2026, together with the operational launch of Ariane 6, reinforces Europe’s ability to operate autonomously even in deep-space scenarios.
In this context, A&G brings a differentiated perspective through its investment in Open Cosmos, a leading European company in the design, manufacture, and operation of micro- and nanosatellites. Its expertise in deploying constellations for both public and private clients positions it as a key player in Europe’s new space architecture and technological sovereignty plans.
4. Strengthening the Cybersecurity Framework
Protecting the digital ecosystem has become essential for economic and technological sovereignty.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), effective September 11, 2026, introduces mandatory reporting of vulnerabilities in connected products, significantly raising security standards. These initiatives are financially supported by the European Cyber Competence Centre (ECCC).
Additionally, Europe is moving toward Zero Trust security architectures, funded through Horizon Europe Cluster 3, focused on civil security. The DIGITAL Programme strengthens this approach by deploying a network of cross-border Security Operations Centers (SOCs) capable of detecting and responding to threats in real time.
In this area, A&G’s technology team recently invested in LuxQuanta, a company specializing in quantum security—a critical field given the new risks quantum computing poses to traditional encryption systems.
5. Dual-Use Technologies: Civil and Defense Innovation Convergence
One of the most relevant—and often less visible—vectors of European strategic autonomy is the development of dual-use technologies, i.e., solutions designed for civilian applications that can also play a critical role in security and defense.
The EU actively supports this approach through programs such as the European Defence Fund (EDF) and progressive alignment between industrial, technological, and security policies. The goal is to maintain control over key technologies with cross-cutting applications, avoiding external dependencies in critical components.
This context underpins A&G’s January 2025 investment in Sensia, a Spanish company specializing in advanced AI-powered infrared vision systems capable of remotely and autonomously detecting industrial gas leaks, including methane, propane, ethylene, propylene, ammonia, and SOx.
Sensia’s technology is based on nanobolometer photodetectors, representing a world-class advancement. Beyond industrial and environmental monitoring, this high-precision infrared detection has clear dual-use potential, enabling integration into critical surveillance, perimeter security, and defense systems—priority areas within Europe’s technological sovereignty strategy.
Conclusion
At A&G, we believe that the EU’s intense focus on security, resilience, and strategic independence creates a particularly attractive long-term investment framework. These policies not only reinforce the potential of existing investments but also open up a significant range of new opportunities, which our teams continue to actively analyze.
In a context marked by geopolitical fragmentation, the ability to identify and support projects aligned with these structural macrotrends will, in our view, be one of the primary sources of value creation in the coming years.
Authors: Juan Diego Bernal, Managing Director of Technology, A&G Global Investors; Julio Martín-Simo Sánchez, Head of Investor Relations, A&G Global Investors; Miguel Lizaso, Managing Director of Infrastructure, A&G Global Investors
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