2026 European Grids Summit: A celebration of the role of grids in Europe’s future

Today, 14 April, the 2026 European Grids Summit held in Brussels brought together all key stakeholders for European Grids: industry representatives, transmission and distribution system operators, policymakers, and manufacturers. Against a shifting geopolitical and energy context, electricity grids took centre stage in Europe's trilemma in terms of the energy transition, security and competitiveness.

Opening remarks from President Zbyněk Boldiš and Vice-Chair Tahir Kapetanovic highlighted Europe's Internal Energy Market as a major achievement. ENTSO-E leadership emphasised thatthe future energy system depends on expanding and modernising grid infrastructure to keep pace with the expected demand and renewable integration. With grids now a strategic priority, they underlined that the key challenge is no longer planning, but delivery, particularly permitting, financing and implementation.

Keynotes: Grids at the Core of Europe's Energy Security and Transition

In his keynote address, Michael Damianos, Cyprus Presidency and Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus ,stressed the central role of TSOs and ENTSO-E, highlighting that accelerating grid development is essential to unlock renewables, electrification and digitalisation, while warning that infrastructure constraints are a key bottleneck.

Emmanuelle Wargon, Chair of the Board of Regulators of ACER, emphasised that stronger grids are crucial to ensure universal access to clean and affordable energy and support the European Union's energy security goals. She highlighted how grids are key for solidarity and mutual support among Member States, which is a core purpose of the Internal Market.

Dan Jørgensen, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, placed his intervention in the context of the global energy crisis and geopolitical tensions, stressing that fossil fuel dependency remains Europe's core vulnerability, while pointing to grid constraints as a major bottleneck. He positioned the European Grids Package as a central response and underlined his readiness to work closely with TSOs to deliver it.

Three Panels, Three Priorities Shaping Europe's Grids

Across the three panels, discussions highlighted the key priorities shaping Europe's grids.

Our first panel, focusing on the European Grids Package, pointed to the gap between planning and delivery. Permitting delays, financing constraints and supply chain limitations were identified as major bottlenecks, alongside the need for stronger coordination and more efficient connection processes. The proposed central reference scenario was a key point of debate, with the importance of alignment between system needs and what's happening on the ground being a key point raised.

The second panel addressed grid security as a multi-dimensional challenge, combining security of supply, physical protection and cybersecurity. Discussions emphasised the need for stronger preparedness, faster restoration and deeper cross-sector and regional cooperation.

Our final panel turned to the industrial dimension, stressing that scaling up grid infrastructure will depend on resilient supply chains, a skilled workforce, and greater long-term visibility to unlock investment and support Europe's competitiveness.

Overall, the 2026 Grids Summit had one clear takeaway above all else: coordination, coordination, and coordination.

If you missed the Summit and are interested to find out more about our work or our position on the European Grids package, have a look at the following links:

About us: here

ENTSO-E position on the European Grids Package: here