A step closer to a genuine energy union in the EU

A stronger, more coordinated European grid is essential for delivering reliable, clean energy across the bloc. The EU took an important step toward this goal with the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee adopting its position on the revision of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation – a key policy for enhancing the EU’s energy infrastructure. This milestone completes Parliament’s work on the two key legislative pillars of the EU Grids Package and paves the way for trilogue negotiations with the Council.

The compromise text, supported by a majority of members from S&D, EPP, Renew, Greens, and The Left marks important progress towards addressing long-standing challenges in European energy infrastructure planning and delivery. The Parliament’s position strengthens EU-wide coordination, transparency, and scenario- and evidence-based infrastructure development – long-standing asks from Clean Air Task Force that are essential for building the resilient, affordable, and decarbonised power system Europe needs.

The revision supports a more centralised approach to EU grid planning through:

• A Union Strategic Scenario, including alternative scenarios.
• Mandatory sensitivity scenarios to better account for uncertainty and system needs.
• Greater transparency through publication of data, assumptions, and modelling in open formats.
• Longer planning horizons up to 2050.
• Recognition of regional and national specificities.
• Consistency across electricity, gas, and hydrogen sectors, as well as CO₂ transport and storage.
• A stronger role for ACER in independently reviewing and validating planning inputs and infrastructure needs, enhancing independent and technical credibility and consistency across the process.

These elements are closely aligned with recommendations CATF has advocated for in the context of the Grids Package to support EU climate and competitiveness objectives: more coordinated EU-level planning, harmonised methodologies, stronger governance, and greater transparency to ensure infrastructure decisions are robust and forward-looking.

Moving forward, at the start of the next plenary session, the Parliament will formally approve its negotiating mandate based on the ITRE report. After that, the three Institutions will officially start trilogue discussions, aiming to have a first-reading agreement on the Grid package by end of year.

The main points to watch include:

• The degree to which EU-wide central planning could raise discussions with the Council calling for a stronger role for Member States and national governments verifying the underlying data and assumptions.
• Congestion revenues: EP raises the ring-fenced share for Union-list projects from 25% to 30% (Council favoured a slower phase-in from 10% in 2028 to 25% by 2031), while retaining the exemption for internal bidding-zone borders, and it suggests that these rents may also be used for low-carbon and renewable electricity generation projects.
• Developments of cross-border cost-allocation provisions about who pays for infrastructure that brings benefits beyond the country hosting it (i.e. whether the 10%-benefit threshold obligates participation in cost allocation).
• Initiative for the Commission to assess the feasibility of a permanent, independent European System Planner.

Clean Air Task Force will continue to monitor the progress and provide recommendations for a strong, coordinated grid to deliver clean, reliable energy to European communities.