Call for expression of interest: appointing a European Trans-European Energy Network Coordinator focusing on the Central and South-East European energy interconnectivity

Secure supplies of clean and affordable energy are critical for European competitiveness, security and the EU’s decarbonisation efforts towards 2030 and beyond. Energy network infrastructure plays a crucial role in the energy transition, in reinvigorating European competitiveness and for the security of our Union. The energy system and energy markets of the Central- and South-East European region have been going through a profound development with the implementation of the EU energy acquis, notably of Regulation (EU) 2022/869 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E Regulation). As a result of commitments from the European Union, from Member States, authorities and energy market players in implementing EU legislation and using regional cooperation in the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity High-Level Group (CESEC) as a tool to reinforce energy network and market development for over a decade, the Central and South-East European region has a well-interconnected and flexible energy infrastructure. However, challenges remain to be addressed to ensure affordability and competitiveness, security of energy supply, diversification and decarbonisation in the region, supported by a regulatory framework that ensures market integration and efficient use of infrastructure. Such challenges are related to the structural shifts in our electricity systems and the corresponding network development and infrastructure needs, the capacity of the region to mitigative price spikes and volatility; the growing integration across energy sectors; and the changing European gas system requiring diversification and decarbonisation while ensuring security of supply. Given the region’s geopolitical characteristics and national specificities, the Central and South-East European region requires increased and dedicated support. 

The implementation of projects of common interest (PCI) under the TEN-E Regulation in the Central and South-East European region has been supported and followed by the Commission through the implementation of the TEN-E Regulation and via the CESEC High-Level Group. 

The challenges posed to the region require the appointment a European Coordinator focusing on the Central and South-East European energy interconnectivity providing the required critical expertise and close follow-up for the timely and orderly completion of the projects, tasks, actions and investments related to the completion of the PCIs under the TEN-E Regulation in Central- and South-East Europe and those defined in the CESEC Electricity and Renewable Energy Action Plan and the CESEC Gases Action Plan. The European Coordinator will ensure that the Commission can provide the necessary support to the Member States concerned, regulatory authorities, project promoters and stakeholders concerned by implementing the tasks in relation to Article 6 paragraph 2 of the TEN-E Regulation.

The Coordinator will closely monitor the implementation of as well as the progress on the infrastructure investments and policy actions, provide advice and facilitate any measures that need to be taken by the stakeholders or authorities, and regularly report back to the Commission and the concerned Member States on the relevant progress. They will work closely with and facilitate cooperation between the Member States concerned, regulatory authorities, project promoters and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely and successful implementation of the projects and policy actions related to the mission. The Coordinator will take a proactive approach and contribute actively, alongside the European Commission and the Member States concerned, to the achievement of defined tasks and duties. The work for the European Coordinator will be conducted in English. Should the relevant Member States so agree, the mandate of the Coordinator might be extended by amending his or her mission statement in view of reaching the needs of the region.

Requirements

The European Coordinator candidates should demonstrate the following:

• EU nationality;
• relevant expertise of at least 10 years in the EU’s energy policy as regards the internal market and energy infrastructure (Experience with the Central and South-East European energy systems and market will be considered as an asset and will be taken into account in the assessment, but is not mandatory);
• a strong commitment towards the EU, to European integration and the European values as expressed in the Treaties and promotion of the general interests of the EU;
• fluency in English and experience in presenting in front of an audience;
• a strong motivation and commitment to the task including as regards time availability; and
• absence of a conflict of interest for which the candidate, if selected, will be required to sign a conflict of interest declaration. Conflict of interest shall be defined as any personal interest, in particular a family or financial interest, or any other conflict of interest, which would actually or potentially impair the independence of the Coordinator in the course of their duties in the position of European Coordinator for the Central and South-East European energy interconnectivity and which may thus lead to any actual or potential conflict of interest relevant to this position.

Selection procedure

The Directorate-General for Energy opened on 4 August 2025 a call for expression of interest for the position of European Coordinator for Central and South-East European energy interconnectivity.

The selection and subsequent appointment of the European Coordinator is based on the provisions of Article 6 of the TEN-E Regulation. The European Coordinator shall be designated from the pool of interested candidates who apply to this call for expression of interest. 

All submissions must be sent to the Directorate-General for Energy using the following mailbox: ENER-C4-PROJECTSec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENER-C4-PROJECTS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu). 

The submissions must include the following: Curriculum vitae and letter of motivation.

The call for expression of interest will be open until 4 September 2025, 23:59 (Central European Time). The submissions must be sent by that date, late submissions will not be accepted. 

All expressions of interest submitted within the deadline will be reviewed with a view to choosing the most qualified candidate, based on the criteria announced in the call for expression of interest in line with the TEN-E regulation Article 6.  After having identified the most suitable candidate, the Commission will inform the Member States concerned about the name of the proposed Coordinator in writing, requesting their formal approval. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process.

Once the agreement of the Member States concerned has been received, the Commission will inform the Council and European Parliament of its intention to appoint a European Coordinator for the Central and South-East European energy interconnectivity. The European Coordinator will then be appointed by way of a Commission Decision accompanied by the terms of reference, detailing the duration of the mandate, the specific tasks and corresponding deadlines, and the methodology to be followed (Article 6(4) TEN-E Regulation). The Coordinator will be appointed for an initial mandate with a duration of one year. The European Commission reserves the right to withdraw the appointment of the selected Coordinator, at any moment, in case of inactivity, insufficient or low-quality contribution to the Central and South-East European energy interconnectivity or when the Coordinator no longer fulfils any of the above requirements.

More specific working rules of the Coordinator will be provided in a separate document (“Vademecum”), that the coordinator will be asked to sign subsequently. 

Remuneration

During the performance of his or her mission, which is unpaid, the Coordinator will be granted a monthly flat-rate allowance of €3 000 to cover ongoing expenses (e.g. secretariat's expenses). The maximum annual mission budget is €15 000. Mission rules are set in the Vademecum and aligned with the Commission’s.