RGI Voices on the EU Grids Package

“The grids package has now been published. Expectations were high, and discussions on its strengths and weaknesses will continue for some time. The package contains many strong elements, but it also includes proposals that may be desirable in principle yet difficult or impossible to implement under current conditions. Grid planning must reflect the specific realities of each Member State. Any top down plan must build on national and regional policies, since its delivery depends on those who will finance and host the infrastructure. It is also clear that we need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and electricity grids. Streamlined procedures, standardised processes, and reduced bureaucracy are all necessary. At the same time, we must build well. Climate and biodiversity risks are rising, and these will shape financing costs and long term performance. Public support is also indispensable. Infrastructure is always built in nature and close to communities, which makes building well essential.”

RGI Voices on the EU Grids Package

“The EU Grids Package must mark a shift from ambition to action. The Commission’s proposal speeds up grid expansion and customer connections by accelerating grid network planning, simplifying permitting, and improving financing tools. It should also integrate proven best practices, including regional grid planning and cooperation.”

Manon van Beek

CEO, TenneT

“The EU must urgently accelerate the deployment and modernisation of its electricity grids to integrate Europe’s growing renewable energy supply, and this package is a much-needed step in that direction. What the Grids Package gets right are the stronger rules on public participation and community benefit-sharing, which can help foster support and ensure that people directly benefit from these projects. But in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, weakening environmental rules is not the way forward. Weakening environmental protections risks eroding public trust and could ultimately delay projects even more. A faster and fairer approach is to prioritise the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), digitalise permitting processes, and to adequately staff and fund national and local permitting authorities.”

Chiara Martinelli

Director, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe

“Europe’s energy security and competitiveness require strong electricity grids. The EU Grids Package must deliver faster permitting, smarter planning and increased investment certainty. And it must tackle the huge grid connection queues. Without decisive action on grids, Europe risks missing its energy security and competitiveness goals.”

Giles Dickson

CEO, WindEurope

“The more dependent we are within Europe, the less we are from without. Three priorities for a European energy future built on wind, sun, batteries, storage, flexibility and interconnections stand out: Firstly, coordinated grid planning at regional level reduces total investment needs and optimises offshore platform and generation locations. Let’s not loose time with lengthy governance discussions but focus on what’s actionable on the short term. Secondly, we need a model that shares generation and infrastructure costs across all significant beneficiaries (countries & end-users) so that our industries and society can thrive and not just survive. And thirdly, to unlock the capital for urgent investments, grid operators need new financing approaches and a fair return. Not investing now means locking in dependency, wasting money, and wasting our planet. Our rules were built for yesterday’s system. We must adapt them to today’s challenges. I trust the EU Grid Package will be the starting point.”

Bernard Gustin

CEO, Elia group