EU energy ministers adopt conclusions on advancing grids

The EU energy ministers on Thursday approved conclusions on sustainable electricity grid infrastructure, proposing measures for an interconnected and resilient power network in Europe.

The conclusions urge member states and the European Commission to work towards accelerating the roll-out of grids, and strengthening the European and regional approaches to grid planning financing and investing in onshore and offshore grid projects, among other actions.

“The share of renewables in electricity generation has more than doubled since 2004 to reach almost 40%. The Council conclusions align with this development and reflect the European Union’s ambition to become more green, competitive and resilient in the energy sector, emphasising the need to roll out an EU Supergrid to incorporate more renewables, support electrification, stabilise prices and increase energy security,” said Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten.

Commenting on the conclusions adoption, Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of industry organisation SolarPower Europe, said: “Energy Ministers have delivered positive proposals on accelerating electricity grid investments in Europe at the transmission and distribution level, for example by calling for regulation that facilitates anticipatory investments, and by asking the European Investment Bank to step up in financing grid upgrades.”

She, however, expressed regret that the challenges for scaling up battery storage and other flexibility solutions were not addressed with the same detail.

“We applaud today’s conclusions on grids, but we urge EU leaders to take the next step on clean flexibility, for example by setting political goals for energy storage and demand response for 2030 and 2040,” Hemetsberger further said.

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