WG2 will explore the means and needs for investment in transmission and distribution networks ensuring that they are up-to-date and future-proofed for the different types of energy sources. WG2 participants will have the opportunity to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of existing financing schemes, barriers to investment as well as the needs for new types of instruments going forward that can more effectively address the risks faced by companies and investors.
The discussions will reflect the specifics of infrastructure needs to achieve carbon neutrality, decentralised energy production, energy security, and bottlenecks for EU’s LNG capacity.
Key context and elements for discussion
The discussions in this Working Group will, amongst others, take into account the following elements:
EU Policy developments – implications for investment
- Latest developments related to the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E)
- Proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure
- Infrastructural needs of transmission and distribution networks to achieve the Fit for 55 and RePowerEU’s goals
- Electricity grid / interconnection needs for decentralised renewable energy production
- REPowerEU action for hydrogen-ready gas infrastructure and interconnections to overcome bottlenecks to the full use of the EU’s LNG capacity, including port infrastructure.
Current and future financial instruments and investment schemes
- Trends in the availability and effectiveness of financial instruments and investment schemes within the EU
- The role of public and private sector investment
- Barriers to investment across the EU Member States in T&D networks
- Innovative solutions to addressing investment gaps and needs in T&D networks
Business / Markets developments - implications for investment
- Development of an offshore grid in the North Sea
- Links to the development of decentralised storage solutions (e.g., through Electric Vehicles. (EV)s)
- State of play 2022: energy infrastructure for low-carbon hydrogen
- Diversification of energy supply facilities and infrastructure to ensure energy security and affordability
- Impacts of recent geopolitical trends on the as-is and to-be situation of European T&D networks
These topics are meant to constitute the background for the WG’s discussion. The list is not exhaustive and will be subject to changes depending on the latest policy, market, geopolitical developments as well as contributions and suggestions from the members of the group.
In addition, the participants of the Working Groups will have the opportunity to discuss other crosscutting topics, including:
EU Policy developments - implications for investment
- Implications of the REPowerEU Join action for investment
- Implications of the EC Communication on energy prices
- Implications of the EC Action plan on the digitalisation of the energy sector
- Implications of the EC European Strategic Energy Technology Plan
- Implications of the EC State of the Energy Union 2022 report for investment
- Implications of the EC Progress Report on the Competitiveness of clean energy technologies
- 2020 NECPs assessment and upcoming revision of the plans in 2023
- Progress and implications of the Circular Economy package
Current and future financial instruments and investment schemes
- Implications of the EU taxonomy for energy sector investment
Business / Markets developments - implications for investment
- Evolutions of business cases in light of the carbon price developments (in particular in view of the proposed revision of the ETS system and proposal for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)