CEER views on the European Grids Package

The Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) publishes its views on the European Grids Package, setting out how the European Union can better plan, prioritise and deliver the networks needed for decarbonisation, electrification and security of supply. Our paper welcomes the strengthened role of National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in network development planning and in ACER’s work on infrastructure, while underlining the need for adequate resources and coherent responsibilities.

CEER underlines that European network planning should systematically rely on multiple scenarios and sensitivities. This is essential to limit sunk-cost risks, especially for emerging hydrogen infrastructure, and to ensure that investments perform well across a range of plausible futures. The paper also calls for more frequent updates of scenarios and needs assessments, as well as better alignment with national planning, adequacy and flexibility assessments.

CEER also highlights the importance of more agile cost–benefit analysis methodologies and cross-border cost allocation rules, led by ACER and NRAs. We caution against ring-fencing and redistributing congestion income across jurisdictions, which could weaken efficient investment signals and harm consumers’ interests. Finally, CEER warns that mandatory “tacit approval” in permitting could undermine legal certainty and public acceptance, and stresses that Grids legislation should enable timely, well-targeted, efficient investments in cross-border and multi-energy infrastructure that support secure, affordable and efficient decarbonisation across Europe.

Press Contact:

Ms Ilze Rasa
Tel: +32 (0)2 788 73 30
E-mail: Ilze.Rasa@ceer.eu