Europe’s energy transition is accelerating. Renewable energy is expanding, electrification is gaining momentum. The ambition behind Fit for 55 is clear: reduce emissions, strengthen energy security, and build a more resilient energy system.
But there is a less visible challenge at the heart of this transition: energy must not only be produced, it must be able to move.
Why energy connections matter more than ever
As the European Union shifts away from fossil fuels, the role of electricity grows rapidly. Clean energy sources like wind and solar are often produced in specific regions: offshore, in coastal areas, or in high-sun regions. To make the most of these resources, energy needs to flow seamlessly across borders.
That is why the EU is focusing on strengthening its energy infrastructure and interconnections, not just to support the green transition, but also to:
- improve energy security
- stabilise energy prices
- increase competitiveness across the internal market
According to the European Council, well-connected energy networks are essential for ensuring that energy can move efficiently between member states and reach where it is needed most. (Source: European Council)
TEN-E: Europe’s energy corridors
At the centre of this effort is the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) framework. Introduced in 2013, TEN-E aims to better connect national energy systems by identifying and supporting key cross-border infrastructure projects.
Today, it defines:
- 11 priority geographical corridors, including electricity and hydrogen interconnections
- 3 thematic areas, such as smart electricity grids and CO₂ networks
These corridors form the backbone of a more integrated European energy system.
In general, projects under TEN-E fall into two main categories:
- Projects of Common Interest (PCI): infrastructure within EU member states
- Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI): projects involving cooperation with non-EU countries
To qualify, projects must significantly improve market integration and cross-border energy flows.
More than 150 such projects are currently underway, many focusing on electricity grids and offshore renewable integration.
The bottlenecks: capacity, delays, and new risks
Despite progress, major challenges remain. The EU is facing:
- insufficient grid capacity to handle growing electricity demand
- frequent delays in infrastructure projects
- emerging security risks affecting critical energy networks
These issues are becoming increasingly urgent as electrification accelerates — from electric vehicles to heating systems and industrial processes.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also highlights that grid expansion is a critical bottleneck globally, warning that infrastructure development must accelerate significantly to keep pace with clean energy growth. (Source: IEA)
The European grids package: speeding up the transition
To address these barriers, the European Commission introduced the European grids package, a set of legislative proposals designed to modernise and accelerate infrastructure development. (Source: European Commission)
The package focuses on two key areas:
- Revising TEN-E
- Better cross-border planning
- Stronger, more resilient infrastructure
- Improved coordination between countries
- Accelerating permitting
- Shorter approval timelines
- Simplified procedures
- Alignment across existing energy directives
These are crucial, as permitting delays have become one of the biggest obstacles to scaling renewable energy infrastructure across Europe.
Funding the transition: Connecting Europe Facility
Infrastructure at this scale requires significant investment. Through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Energy), the EU provides funding to support cross-border energy projects and accelerate the integration of renewable energy. For the 2021–2027 period, the programme allocated: €5.84 billion to energy infrastructure development. Looking ahead, the EU is considering a major scale-up.
The European Commission has proposed increasing the budget to nearly €30 billion for 2028–2034, reflecting the growing importance of infrastructure in achieving climate and energy goals. The funding focuses on:
- cross-border renewable projects
- smarter and digitalised energy systems
- stronger integration of the internal energy market
Why this matters for Fit for 55
The ambition of Fit for 55 is often measured in percentages:
- emissions reductions
- renewable energy shares
- efficiency targets
But behind these numbers lies a practical reality: without connected infrastructure, these targets cannot be achieved. If energy cannot move efficiently:
- renewable capacity remains underused
- price differences persist across regions
- energy dependence is harder to eliminate
In this sense, infrastructure is not just a supporting element: it is a prerequisite for the entire transition.
Conclusion
Europe is not only transforming how it produces energy, but also how it distributes it. From cross-border corridors to smarter grids and faster permitting, the EU is building the foundations of a truly integrated energy system.
Because in the end, the success of the green transition will not depend solely on how much clean energy Europe generates, but on how effectively it can connect it.
