On 10 March 2026, the European Commission (EC) published the first part of its Energy Package, comprising three non-legislative initiatives, two with relevance for DSOs, to boost access to affordable and clean energy for all Europeans. The Clean Energy Investment Strategy (CEIS) aims to mobilise more private capacity and de-risk investments to finance the energy transition with a particular focus on grid operators while the Citizens Energy Package tackles energy affordability for consumers with new recommendations on energy sharing and flexibility.
Clean Energy Investment Strategy: Grids in the focus with specific measures geared towards system operators and DSOs
The Clean Energy Investment Strategy (CEIS) (COM/2026/116) highlights the significant investment needs required to deliver the energy transition, particularly in energy infrastructure recognised as playing a key role in delivering Europe’s competitiveness, and energy goals. Around €660 billion will need to be annually invested until 2030 and several actions envisaged are specifically geared towards grid operators and DSOs to scale up and accelerate grid deployment.
To mobilise the required investments, the CEIS intends to strengthen the financial capacity of electricity grid operators emphasizing the need to unlock more private capital to support public funding. Planned measures include improved access to capital markets and equity financing for electricity grid operators with notably the establishment of a Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund by the European Investment Bank (EIB), including an indicative €500 billion EIB commitment. Furthermore, the EC aims to enhance the use of loan securitisation and intermediate lending for grid operators, particularly to support smaller DSOs acknowledging their diversity and the role of local and regional commercial banks in supporting project aggregation. Beyond financial instruments, it makes explicit recognition of electricity networks as key infrastructure requiring stable and predictable investment conditions.
Citizens Energy Package: Network tariffs identified as key for energy affordability
The Citizens Energy Package (COM/2026/115) focuses on energy affordability by further building on the Affordable Energy Action Plan aiming to lower energy bills and electricity prices, and tackle energy poverty.
Several actions are set and mark electrification, flexibility and energy sharing as key to reducing system costs and improving consumer participation in the energy market. Directly relevant for grids are the announced cooperations between the EC , ACER and NRAs to ensure the swift implementation of the 2025’s Guidance on network tariffs (COM/2025/4010) and the encouragement of NRAs to consider targeted incentives in grid tariffs for flexible local consumption to reduce overall grid costs and to assess the flexibility potential of energy communities and energy sharing when designing network charges. An Action Plan on energy communities and self-consumption is announced for 2026* as well as an implementing regulation on data interoperability for energy sharing in 2027 to ensure it is easy to use and fully automated for consumers.
Furthermore, the EC also calls for a full roll-out of smart meters by Member States highlighting the importance of grid modernisation and digitalisation.
* EC Recommendation (EU) 2026/1007 on supporting the development of energy communities and maximising the potential of self-consumption unveiled on 30 April 2026 and accessible here.
In summary
In brief, taken together, the initiatives confirm the recognition of the key role of energy infrastructure for the EU’s energy transition and affordability objectives. It demonstrates the Commission’s intention to set conditions at the EU level to enhance European competitiveness while lowering energy costs and increasing participation for consumers.