The European Union’s executive body is drawing up a plan to more closely connect the energy systems of EU member states, including a commitment to accelerate key interconnection projects. Proposals have been welcomed by leading solar and energy storage trade bodies. This move comes as several EU countries are lagging behind the 15% interconnection target for 2030.
The European Commission has unveiled a series of network infrastructure upgrade proposals aimed at enabling better energy flow between EU member states, as it urges member states to take a first-come, first-served approach to offering connections.
Subject to parliamentary approval, the European Grids Package and the Energy Highways initiative include new guidelines for grid connections, differential guidance contracts, proposals to accelerate the planning of infrastructure projects, and a proposal to revise the Trans-European Network for Energy (TEN-E) regulation for cross-border energy infrastructure.
The European Grids Package provides EU member states with recommendations and best practices, including a call to adopt a ‘first-ready, first-serve’ principle for connection offers.
The recently published European Grids Package also includes plans to move to an EU planning framework for cross-border energy infrastructure, intended to enable a more coordinated approach to upgrades. Within two years of the network package coming into force, the European Commission must develop a comprehensive central EU scenario consistent with the trading bloc’s energy and climate goals. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH) will then use this scenario to identify infrastructure needs.
The announced Energy Highways initiative includes eight strategic interconnections that transport electricity, gas and hydrogen. According to the Commission, these interconnection projects will now be accelerated.
The European Commission’s intervention comes at a time when the European Union is pursuing a target of 15% interconnection between member states by 2030 – a goal that several countries are not yet on track to achieve. In its announcement of the network plan, the Commission described the costs of inaction as “staggering” and warned that poor interconnection exposes the European Union to price volatility and geopolitical risks. The Commission estimates that €1.2 trillion of investment will be needed in the EU’s electricity grids by 2040.
SolarPower Europe praised the grid connection guidelines as the ‘highlight of the package’. CEO of the trade association, Walburga Hemetsberger, said the guidelines “hit the nail on the head”
“Member States now have clear instructions on how to design effective rules for connecting grid-friendly projects such as hybrid solar and storage projects and rewarding users of flexible connection agreements. This publication will help Europe make better use of the network hardware we have,” said Hemetsberger.
The announcement has also been welcomed by the Energy Storage Europe Association. Senior policy officer Daniel Vig said moving from a first-come, first-served approach to a first-finished model will speed up implementation.
“The proposals on queuing reform, flexible connection agreements and the recognition of system benefits are closely aligned with the core recommendations of our position on grid connections,” Vig said.
“We strongly support the Commission’s guidelines and urge their consistent implementation in all Member States to ensure fair and efficient access to the electricity grid.”
The proposals will now go to the European Parliament and the European Council for approval. During this process, the European Commission is expected to work with Member States and relevant stakeholders to implement 235 cross-border infrastructure projects announced on December 1, 2025.
Cross-border energy projects under the Commission’s Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) include 113 electricity, offshore and smart grid projects, 100 hydrogen and electrolyzer projects, 17 carbon transport infrastructure projects, three smart gas grid projects and the two long-standing projects connecting Malta and Cyprus to the gas network in mainland Europe.
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