Republished with full copyright permissions from The Boston News Tribune.

Interconnected and stable energy networks are the backbone of the European Union’s internal energy market and are essential in facilitating the green transition. To support the goals of the European Green Deal, the European Commission has proposed an Action Plan to ensure the efficient operation and rapid expansion of electricity grids. As the demand for electricity in the EU is expected to increase significantly by 2030, modernizing and expanding the infrastructure network is crucial to provide citizens and businesses with affordable and sustainable energy.

The proposed Action Plan aims to address the challenges associated with expanding, digitalizing, and optimizing the EU’s electricity transmission and distribution grids. It identifies specific actions to unlock the necessary investments and accelerate the development of European electricity grids, in line with the objectives for 2030. These actions include accelerating the implementation of key projects, improving long-term grid planning, introducing regulatory incentives, enhancing grid usage, improving access to finance for grid projects, stimulating faster permitting, and securing grid supply chains.

The EU boasts one of the most extensive and resilient electricity networks globally, which has proved vital in ensuring stable energy supplies, particularly during the recent energy crisis. With the updated legal framework and various initiatives, including the revised TEN-E regulation and the Net-Zero Industry Act, the EU is committed to supporting the rollout of electricity grids and strengthening energy infrastructure. This is crucial to achieve the EU’s energy independence and the ambitious renewable energy targets set for 2030.

The Action Plan aligns with the broader objective to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels and increase the renewable energy share, in line with the REPowerEU Plan. It is also part of the European Wind Power Action Plan and follows the first High-Level Electricity Grids Forum, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to sustainable energy infrastructure development.

The selection of key cross-border energy infrastructure projects and the Pact for Engagement demonstrate the comprehensive approach and the strong stakeholder collaboration essential for successful grid development. The EU Action Plan for Grids represents a major step in supporting infrastructure planning, development, and operation to connect Europe’s expanding renewable energy sources with end-users, ultimately enhancing the energy system’s efficiency and integration.

As stated by Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations, and Foresight, the Action Plan aims to ensure efficient, smarter, and more integrated energy infrastructure, playing a vital role in delivering the clean energy essential for the green transition. Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson emphasizes the critical nature of grid development as an enabler for the transition to a decarbonized energy system, seeking the support of all industry stakeholders to turn the Plan into concrete actions.

The EU’s Action Plan for Grids represents a significant initiative in driving the green transition forward, emphasizing the importance of robust and efficient energy infrastructure in achieving sustainable and affordable energy for Europe.