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Electricity grids: the backbone of the EU energy system

TA-10-2025-0136 · P10_TA(2025)0136 · PE768.244

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on electricity grids calls for modernising and expanding EU grid capacity, integrating planning, and speeding up permitting to support the clean energy transition and competitiveness. It urges more investment and financing for grids, including distribution, and stresses the need for regulatory stability, flexibility, digitalisation, and supply chain resilience. It highlights the importance of cross-border interconnections, offshore grids, cooperation with non-EU countries, and addressing challenges in outermost regions.

Key points

  1. Calls on Member States to explore, optimise, modernise and expand electricity grid capacity, including transmission and distribution, as central to a net zero economy by 2050.
  2. Urges implementation of EU grid action plan, affordable energy action plan, electricity market design reform, and Renewable Energy Directive without delay.
  3. Notes expected 60% increase in electricity consumption by 2030, need for additional cross-border capacity, and that over 40% of distribution grids are over 40 years old.
  4. Reiterates investment needs of EUR 375-425 billion in distribution grids and EUR 584 billion overall by 2030.
  5. Calls for EU strategy to reduce dispatch-down of renewable electricity, noting 2023 curtailment of nearly 30 TWh and rising congestion costs.
  6. Urges revision of TEN-E Regulation to strengthen ACER's role, align scenarios with decarbonisation, and simplify access for smart grid projects and small DSOs.
  7. Proposes extending network development plans to 20 years and calls for binding interconnection target for 2036.
  8. Calls for amending Article 6 of Electricity Directive to allow prioritisation of grid connections, abandoning 'first-come, first-served'.
  9. Urges acceleration of permitting, including digitalisation and tacit approval, and development of best practices for public acceptance.
  10. Calls for increased CEF-E funding and dedicated instruments for grid investment, including distribution and decentralised projects.
  11. Emphasises need for regulatory frameworks to attract private investment, including anticipatory investments and cost-reflective tariffs.
  12. Calls for enhancing cybersecurity and resilience of critical electricity infrastructure, including subsea cables, and developing a Common European Energy Data Space.

Who is affected

  • Member States, transmission and distribution system operators, and national regulatory authorities.
  • Energy communities, SMEs, and smaller operators face barriers to grid access and funding.
  • Grid equipment manufacturers and suppliers, affected by supply chain pressures and calls for standardisation.
  • Workers in the energy sector, needing training and upskilling to meet labour shortages.
  • Outermost regions and areas not connected to the European grid, needing support for autonomous energy systems.

Figures and deadlines

  • 60% expected increase in electricity consumption by 2030.
  • Over 40% of EU distribution grids are over 40 years old.
  • EUR 375 to 425 billion needed in distribution grids by 2030; EUR 584 billion overall.
  • 2023 congestion costs were EUR 4.2 billion; nearly 30 TWh of renewable electricity curtailed.
  • Negative price hours rose from 154 in 2018 to 1,031 as of September 2024.
  • Investment needs over 2025-2050 range from EUR 1,950 billion to EUR 2,600 billion.
  • CEF-E budget for 2021-2027 is EUR 5.84 billion.
  • Energy workforce must grow by 50% by 2030, with 2 million additional jobs needed by 2050.

Legal basis: Article 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union