Source: European Parliament
As outlined in the Affordable Energy Action Plan[1], there is a clear and urgent need to develop energy system interconnections to strengthen our Energy Union in order to lower energy costs, enhance competitiveness and ensure an independent and secure energy system.
Investments in grids and interconnectors will be particularly instrumental. Investing EUR 2 billion per year in cross-border networks provides EUR 5 billion in benefits for citizens yearly.
The Connecting Europe Facility is the key EU funding instrument for promoting cross-border energy infrastructure, with a financial envelope for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 of some EUR 5.8 billion dedicated to energy projects.
The Competitiveness Compass[2], the Clean Industrial Deal[3] and the Affordable Energy Action Plan recall the importance for the EU to continue providing sufficient funding to support the completion of the Energy Union’s interconnectors and energy infrastructure. Concrete proposals on future financing will be considered in the framework of the next multiannual financial programme.
As announced in the Clean Industrial Deal, EU funding will provide significant further investments in the infrastructure and connectivity required to complete the Energy Union.
The Commission will also put forward a European Grid Package to, among others, ensure cross-border integrated planning and delivery of projects, especially on interconnectors.
At the same time, the Commission recalls that existing infrastructure needs to be used efficiently, notably by fully implementing the target of 70% of available capacity for cross-border exchanges at the interconnectors.
- [1] Action Plan for Affordable Energy Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans, COM/2025/79 final.
- [2] A Competitiveness Compass for the EU, COM(2025) 30 final.
- [3] The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation, COM(2025) 85 final.