On 26 March the European associations for DSOs – CEDEC, DSO Entity, E.DSO, EURELECTRIC, GEODE – published a joint statement with their assessment of the European Grids Package. The statement underlines that, by addressing key areas such as planning, permitting and grid connections, the Package meaningfully advances the 2023 Grid Action Plan and reinforces the central role of energy grid infrastructure in the EU’s policy priorities.
Europe’s electricity grids are taking centre stage, but key elements are still missing
The five associations positively acknowledge the proposal’s efforts to accelerate permitting procedures for grid infrastructure, revise the current TEN-E framework, and address grid connection challenges through a holistic approach including an emphasis on anticipatory investments. However, they regret the neglect of the decentralised level and the failure of the Package to provide a sufficiently enabling framework for the development of electricity distribution networks. In particular, concerns persist regarding the continued absence of dedicated DSO funding mechanism, the insufficient attention to bottom-up planning – going into the complete opposite direction with the proposed centralised scenario development approach – and the lack of clarity and feasibility of some proposed permitting measures such as the introduction of short timelines or tacit approval mechanisms.
Their assessment of the Grids Package in a nutshell:
Positive aspects to be supported:
- Accelerated permitting procedures by public authorities for grid infrastructure projects
- Revision of the TEN-E framework including a new category for resilience
- A more holistic approach to grid connections, including anticipatory investments
Gaps to be further addressed during the process:
- Insufficient integration of bottom-up planning in the proposed top-down scenario development, which risks overlooking local distribution realities
- Lack of consideration and visibility of the distribution level, despite delivering the majority of grid investments
- No dedicated EU funding mechanism for DSOs
- Concerns regarding the feasibility and safety of certain grid connection measures
Why it matters? – DSOs are the backbone of Europe’s energy transition:
The statement underlines the crucial role played by DSOS in driving the energy transition on the ground, delivering tangible benefits to European citizens, businesses and industries alike.
- 10 out of 11 million km of grids are distribution networks
- €730 billion investment needed by 2040
- 250+ million consumers connected
- Enabling renewables, EVs, and heat pumps
Read the full statement here.
For more information please contact: Elisa.Vandooren@eudsoentity.eu