A statement on the Council agreement on the EU grids package
Agora welcomes the member state agreement on the EU ‘grids package’ as an important step to adopting key energy transition legislation. Maintaining an independent, central scenario will be crucial for effective and cost-efficient infrastructure planning.
Brussels, 26 June 2026. Today, EU energy ministers agreed on their position on the European Commission’s proposed ‘grids package’, paving the way for talks with the European Parliament later this year. It marks an important step on the path to adopting the legislation which aims to drive investment in Europe’s energy infrastructure, primarily grids.
Below is a statement by Frauke Thies, Director Europe, Agora Energiewende
“The grids package is a critical set of measures to unlock necessary investments for an efficient and resilient European energy system. This agreement sends a welcome political signal of EU governments’ commitment to advancing it swiftly.
The Council agreement maintains the key elements of the original proposal. The most important one is the Europe-wide scenario for energy infrastructure development, which remains central in the package adopted today. Such an approach would – as our analysis has shown – optimise system efficiency, deliver significant cost savings and strengthen resilience. Combining European scenario building with national planning will be crucial for clarity as the EU transitions to a modern energy system. Equally important is ensuring transparency and opportunities for stakeholder scrutiny – elements that should be strengthened in the ensuing negotiations.
The energy ministers reduced the share of national congestion income that should be used to invest in cross-border grids connections. Nevertheless, achieving a genuine European Energy Union requires investing in the grid across Europe. It is a key prerequisite for greater resilience and competitiveness on the path to climate neutrality.”
