Security of electricity supply

In the EU framework, security of electricity supply means the ability of an electricity system to guarantee supply to customers, achieving a clearly established level of performance, determined by the EU countries concerned.

While integrated energy markets and systems make the EU more resilient, they also raise the risk of transnational supply crises. In this context, EU countries must cooperate more closely and proactively when preventing and managing electricity crises.

A revision of the EU energy security architecture was announced in the Affordable Energy Action Plan and European Preparedness Union Strategy. The main objective is to make it fit for the turbulent geopolitical context and the ongoing electrification. The Commission is evaluating how the framework for security of gas and electricity supply worked in the past, in particular during the energy crisis, by the means of a fitness check. A dedicated call for evidence and public consultation were carried out between September and November 2024.

Regulation on risk-preparedness in the sector

As part of the Clean energy for all Europeans package, adopted in 2019, the Regulation on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector requires competent authorities in all EU countries to cooperate with each other to ensure that, in electricity crisis, electricity goes where it is most needed. 

The requirements include putting in place appropriate tools to prevent, prepare for and manage possible electricity crises in a spirit of solidarity and transparency. The regulation also introduces common methodologies to identify crisis scenarios and to assess short term and seasonal adequacy between generation and consumption of electricity to preserve the stability of the grid and avoid shortage.

Under the regulation, the European Network for Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) is required to undertake seasonal supply outlooks investigating, at the pan-European level, the security of supply ahead of each winter and summer period. These seasonal supply outlooks help the Commission in its monitoring work.

EU countries should draw up risk-preparedness plans for electricity crisis prevention and management on the basis of the identified regional and national scenarios. The Commission may issue opinions on these plans, which should be updated regularly and at least every 4 years. The second cycle, which will lead to the development of new risk preparedness plans, due by 5 January 2026, has now officially started.

In a spirit of solidarity, EU countries must agree on measures to offer assistance to each other for the prevention and management of crises, notably with the purpose of protecting public safety and personal security. To help design and agree on the application of this assistance mechanism, the Commission published, in 2020, a Recommendation on the key elements of the fair compensation and other key elements to be included in the technical, legal and financial arrangements between EU countries for the application of the assistance mechanism under Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2019/941.

Network code on emergency and restoration

The Regulation establishing a network code on emergency and restoration entered into force in December 2017 and sets down rules relating to the management of the electricity transmission system in emergency, blackout and restoration states.

Electricity network codes and guidelines

Electricity coordination group

The Electricity Coordination Group is a forum for the exchange of information and coordination of electricity policy measures having a cross-border impact. It also shares experiences, best practices and expertise on security of supply in electricity, including risk-preparedness, generation adequacy and cross-border grid stability, and assists the Commission in designing its policy initiatives.

The group's members represent

• national government authorities, in particular ministries responsible for energy
• national energy regulatory authorities
• the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
• the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)

Energy storage and security of supply

Energy storage is indispensable to ensure the security of the clean energy transition, as it can play a crucial role in providing flexibility, stability and reliability to the grid. Hence, it can support the electrification of the economy and empower consumers to adapt their consumption to market conditions and their own needs. However, there are still a number of economic barriers to its deployment. 

The Commission recommendation on energy storage (2023/C 103/01) calls on EU countries to overcome remaining regulatory barriers, taking storage into consideration in relation to grid planning and operation, and ensuring that storage can be used in existing market schemes.