At the Council table EU energy will be found tomorrow Greek initiative to increase European investment in infrastructure electrical network.

The Greek side, in a document (non paper) submitted to the European Council on March 24 and supported by a double-digit number of member states, according to diplomatic sources, insists on the importance of a European electricity network, able to support and accelerate the green transition.

“Modern grids will drive the development of renewable energy sources and are essential to support the electrification of buildings, transport and industry. However, investment in grids is below what is required for a zero-emissions energy system,” it says. the Greek non paper.

“It is imperative that we redouble our efforts to expand and strengthen Europe’s electricity network,” the Greek side emphasizes, focusing on four pillars:

First, in improving the electricity grid between North and South to enhance the complementarity between solar and wind generation on a seasonal basis.

Second, in upgrading the network in the Western Balkans, in order to “accelerate the transition in the region, to enable the production of renewable energy in countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, etc. by increasing their capacity to send electricity to the rest of Europe and to facilitate the import of electricity from the Eastern Mediterranean and from Egypt and the wider North African region to Southern Europe and, from there, to Central Europe where it is most needed.”

Third, in the extension of the regulation to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects and in electricity networks.

Fourth, in the investment facility, i.e. the rationalization and concentration of existing Funds and financing programs (eg RRF, Connecting Europe Facility, European Investment Bank, etc.) and the development of additional resources.

“A modern, expanded and digitized European network is the biggest enabler for the energy transition. Europe needs to focus more on networks to allow each member state to fully develop its own resources and to ensure that cross-border flows enhance security of supply and resilience and offer lower costs”, concludes the Greek side in its non-paper.

The Greek proposal to strengthen the electricity networks will be discussed at the Energy Council on March 28 and the Swedish Presidency of the EU and the European Commission will be asked to submit a specific proposal.