Courtesy 123rf
Non-profit SupergridEurope has called for two new European bodies in its response to the European Commission’s consultation on its upcoming grids package.
Urging the Commission to “seize the moment of unprecedented strong support from the Council and a large majority of members of the European parliament”, SupergridEurope is calling for a pan-European electricity supergrid “fit for purpose to the benefit of European consumers and businesses” within the next 15 years.
To deliver this, SupergridEurope proposes the creation of a ‘European energy agency’ to act as an independent grid architect, complementary to the ‘energy union task force’ and working alongside the European Investment Bank, with a mandate to lead long-term planning, ensure transparency, coordinate cross-border infrastructure and identify innovation gaps.
In parallel, a European independent system operator (EU ISO) should be established to streamline the operation of an interconnected grid, eliminate regulatory and investment misalignments, and simplify the delivery of the projects of common interest.
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Without major governance reform, Europe risks locking itself into an inefficient, costly and outdated grid structure – one that cannot deliver on its climate or energy security goals, warns SupergridEurope in its response.
EU grids package
With a total of 178 responses to the call for evidence and 197 responses to the consultation on the grids package (closed on 5 August), DG Ener has its work cut out to work through these and to finalise the package for the scheduled November 2025 publication.
Expected to include both legislative and non-legislative proposals to shape the EU’s electricity infrastructure planning, the package is proposed to enable accelerating the upgrading and expansion of the grids to support the integration of large scale renewables and electrification.
Key aspects to deliver include removing bottlenecks to speed up permitting for generation and other infrastructure and increasing the overall efficiency and resilience of the system.
While focussed on electricity it will also cover hydrogen and other infrastructure categories included in the Trans-European Network for Energy (TEN-E) framework.
Transmission requirements
ENTSO-E in its response has suggested four key enablers to deliver “the grid Europe needs”.
These are smarter and more streamlined planning with stronger regional coordination, accelerated permitting of transmission projects with simplified environmental requirements, adequate and accessible financing through a stable regulatory framework and greater access to EU funds, and stronger supply chains and flexible procurements.
This includes backing of the call for a ‘Net-zero academy for grids’ to address the urgent shortage of skilled professionals.
These priorities are essential to deliver a future-proof, integrated grid system that enables electrification, resilience and climate neutrality, states ENTSO-E in its submission.
Distributor response
The DSO Entity in its response highlights the need for a greater focus on DSOs through a balanced approach between EU and national measures, considering the diversity and local nature of DSOs.
Noting the crucial role of DSOs in integrating almost three-quarters of the renewable resources, the little inclusion of distribution grids in past European legislation and the mix of DSOs, the DSO Entity stresses two key actions.
These are to ensure the implementation of existing EU legislation and strengthen EU guidance to support member states in tailoring solutions to local realities, and to improve coordination and alignment between the different levels to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing.
DSO Entity expects to be a key-actor in actively supporting and facilitating such exchanges.
Originally published on Enlit World.
