Energy networks play an essential role in promoting competition, decarbonisation of energy demand, and security of supply. While the current regulatory framework has successfully supported market integration across the EU, energy networks must now rapidly adapt to a more decentralised, digitalised, and flexible energy system in a fast‑evolving geopolitical context.
On 10 December 2025, the European Commission proposed a European Grids Package and an Energy Highways Initiative to enable energy to flow more efficiently across Member States, integrate cheaper clean energy, accelerate electrification, lower energy prices, and support energy security as Europe moves away from Russian energy imports. The proposals aim to bring a truly European perspective to infrastructure planning, accelerate permitting procedures, and ensure a fairer allocation of costs for cross‑border projects.
The European Grids Package introduces a more centralised approach to infrastructure planning, strengthens EU‑wide cross‑border planning, improves coordination between transmission and distribution grids, incentivises smart and digital grid solutions, and embeds the “energy efficiency first” principle. It comprises two legislative proposals (amending the TEN‑E framework and accelerating permit‑granting procedures) and two guidance notes on grid connections and contracts for difference.
To accelerate implementation, the Package proposes simplified EU‑level permitting frameworks, enhanced support for PCI/PMI projects, improved cost‑benefit transparency, strengthened infrastructure security and resilience (including cyber security), and expanded financing options, including use of congestion income and eligibility for CEF funding.
In parallel, the Energy Highways Initiative identifies eight priority Energy Highways addressing urgent infrastructure bottlenecks, many of which already hold PCI or PMI status under the second Union list published on 1 December 2025. The Commission has committed to fast‑tracking these projects through enhanced political coordination, support to Member States, and strengthened cross‑border permitting cooperation.
Against this background, the Workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposals contained in the European Grids Package and the Energy Highways Initiative.
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