Trans-European energy networks (TEN-E) : ideas for simplification in view of accelerating project implementation

Adequate, reliable and well interconnected energy networks are a prerequisite for a well functioning internal energy market and for meeting EU’s energy and climate policy objectives on greenhouse gases, cost-competitiveness and security of supply. Since 2013, an important step was taken in the EU to identity and facilitate the implementation of key cross-border investments across the EU through the adoption of the Regulation on trans-European energy networks (TEN-E). The Commission announced a European Grids Package for early 2026 with the aim to reviewing and simplifying the Regulation. This Policy Paper proposes ideas for this review by looking at two questions: How the Regulation can be simplified and its processes streamlined? What measures could be proposed to accelerate the implementation of the necessary investments and of the most urgent projects independent of the national borders? In the Paper, 21 ideas addressing these questions are put forward.