On 26 June 2026, the Council of the European Union reached a general approach on a proposal for a new Regulation on trans-European energy infrastructure, establishing its provisional position for negotiations with the European Parliament. The regulation will replace the current Regulation (EU) 2022/869 and amend several related acts, introducing new infrastructure categories focused on resilience against geopolitical threats and digital solutions for cross-border grids.
The Council's position introduces two new infrastructure categories: investments in equipment for resilience and protection of critical network elements, including emergency repair components for intentional disruptive events, and non-wire technologies or digital solutions deployed on critical cross-border elements. The resilience and repair category is limited to cross-border high-voltage electricity infrastructure previously supported under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) or critical undersea electricity interconnectors. Projects in this category are capped at 5% of total CEF financial support for projects of common or mutual interest in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework.
The regulation also strengthens transparency requirements for foreign investments: ultimate beneficiary ownership information must be considered when selecting projects. Regional groups composed of Member States, regulators, promoters, and stakeholders will propose and review projects, with the Commission facilitating cross-regional cooperation. The Council noted that 41 of 88 GW of cross-border electricity capacity needed by 2030 remain unaddressed, with needs projected to reach 108 GW by 2040.
The general approach updates EU energy infrastructure rules to prioritise grid resilience against geopolitical threats, introduces new project categories with a 5% funding cap for security investments, and strengthens cross-border planning to close a widening infrastructure gap. The Council's position will now serve as its mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final regulation.
Stakeholder impact The regulation has several implications for key stakeholders: - EU energy infrastructure operators: New resilience requirements may increase investment costs for cross-border electricity infrastructure, but the 5% funding cap limits CEF support for security projects, potentially leaving operators to cover additional expenses. - EU consumers: Improved grid resilience and cross-border capacity could enhance energy security and reduce price volatility, but costs may be passed through to consumers via network tariffs. - Non-EU investors: Enhanced transparency on ultimate beneficiary ownership may deter investments from entities with opaque ownership structures, potentially reducing foreign capital in EU energy projects. - EU regulatory bodies (ACER, national regulators): Regional groups and cross-border coordination mechanisms will increase their workload, but the regulation provides a clearer framework for project selection and funding allocation.
Institutional follow-up The Council's general approach will be transmitted to the European Parliament, which will adopt its own position under the ordinary legislative procedure. Trilogue negotiations between the Council, Parliament, and Commission are expected to begin in the autumn of 2026, with adoption targeted before the end of the current legislative term.