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Good practices

Press release

RGI is commissioning a study on resource and material needs for Europe’s electricity grids

Press release

Topic

Circularity and Supply Chains

Dimension

Grids & Energy Systems

Published 13 October 2025

RGI has published the Terms of Reference to commission a new study on the future resource and material requirements for Europe’s electricity grids. We now invite qualified contractors to submit offers to carry out this important analysis.

Introduction

As Europe accelerates its energy transition, the availability of strategic raw materials has become a pressing concern. Disrupted supply chains and increasing competition among sectors such as renewable energy, mobility and digital technologies risk slowing the timely deployment of electricity grid infrastructure. To date, there is no clear consensus on the material demand associated with grid expansion, the equipment components involved, or how to reflect these needs in energy system planning.

The commissioned study is aimed at addressing these knowledge gaps by:

Forecasting material requirements for European transmission and distribution grids to 2050, with intermediate milestones for 2030 and 2040.

Evaluating strategic grid equipment, such as cable systems, substations, transformers, offshore infrastructure, converter stations and new grid digitalisation technologies.

Integrating circularity, efficiency and sufficiency measures into the analysis.

Assessing supply chain readiness and critical bottlenecks, including environmental and social impacts.

The work will be conducted over six months, with results presented in a public report, supported by visualisations and freely accessible datasets.

Application process

Interested contractors are invited to submit an offer of no more than five pages, including a proposed work plan, methodology, timeline, budget and evidence of relevant expertise. The deadline for submission is 16 November 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed within three weeks, and the awarded contractor will be announced by 11 December 2025. Please contact us below if you have any questions!

Download the full Terms of Reference below.

251013_RGI_Study-ToR_Circularity-and-Supply-Chains.pdf

120.311 KB

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contact

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11035
Nathália joined RGI in November 2022 as Junior Manager within the communication team. Currently, she works as Manager – Communication & Energy Systems. She is responsible for communication-related tasks, while also co-leading different activities within the Grids & Energy Systems Dimension in RGI. Her main work topics are circularity and stakeholder engagement, as well as permitting and acceleration of renewables and grid infrastructure. Previously, she worked for the private sector, as well as GIZ Brazil and the European Union’s International Urban Cooperation Program in Latin America and the Caribbeans (IUC-LAC). Nathália studied at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in Brazil, and the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

t: +49 30 233211014
Andrzej has been working at RGI since May 2017, having previously cooperated with RGI as researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Currently, he works as a Director for Energy Systems, being responsible for projects and activities under the RGI’s Technical Dimension addressing the questions how to plan, design and implement a carbon-free and optimised energy system. He holds a Master Degree in International Relations from the Wrocław University and completed his PhD at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich.

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11035
Nathália joined RGI in November 2022 as Junior Manager within the communication team. Currently, she works as Manager – Communication & Energy Systems. She is responsible for communication-related tasks, while also co-leading different activities within the Grids & Energy Systems Dimension in RGI. Her main work topics are circularity and stakeholder engagement, as well as permitting and acceleration of renewables and grid infrastructure. Previously, she worked for the private sector, as well as GIZ Brazil and the European Union’s International Urban Cooperation Program in Latin America and the Caribbeans (IUC-LAC). Nathália studied at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in Brazil, and the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

t: +49 30 233211014
Andrzej has been working at RGI since May 2017, having previously cooperated with RGI as researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Currently, he works as a Director for Energy Systems, being responsible for projects and activities under the RGI’s Technical Dimension addressing the questions how to plan, design and implement a carbon-free and optimised energy system. He holds a Master Degree in International Relations from the Wrocław University and completed his PhD at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or LIFE Programme. Neither the EU nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.