- 2025-09-22 “I was just about to shorten it. So good afternoon, honourable members of the European Parliament. Dear chair. Thank you for the opportunity to share with you in a timely manner on the ongoing process of preparing our second list of projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest. Just to recall the importance of grids, I think we heard it from the Draghi report. We heard it by the state of the Union speech of the president, von der Leyen. We need to invest more in grids for affordability, sustainability, but also security of supply. We have done studies that if we would integrate better our electricity markets, we would save around €34 Billion euros for consumers every year. And also, um, our affordable energy action plan are really underlying that the system cost could be less if we would have, on the one side, use more efficiently the existing one, but also build new grids. And the focus here is electricity and hydrogen in the future. We also know that there are challenges. Around 40% of the EU distribution grids are for 40 years for decades old. And they definitely need modernization, digitalization and revitalization of the infrastructure. We also know that the bulk of investments and there is huge amount of investment. Two thirds needs to go for the distribution level, the more local level and one third to the transmission level. There is also the need to address the 32GW of electricity cross border required capacity still required by 2030. At the same time, we had two boom years of renewables, in particular wind and solar, and we know that we need to integrate them, uh, because otherwise what we already experienced now there are bottlenecks, there are congestions, and that is very costly.”
Low-carbon hydrogen · EU approach to electricity market and prices
- 2025-09-22 “So we address really where a more optimized way of the grids in Europe. And that is one of the planning, better planning of the cross-border energy infrastructure. A second element where we are looking at is the cost benefit sharing mechanism, which is between countries like in the offshore area, North Sea, where those benefitting are not all the countries on the offshore side, but sometimes also landlocked countries. So we have to find a system technically but also politically of sharing cost and benefit. A third element still important also in the area of grids is permitting. We have made some progress in our renewables directive with new rules on permitting. Permitting procedures are still too slow also in the grids. So we want to improve it. A fourth and five fifth area is the supply chain, which is an area which is still very difficult sometimes for cables and the whole supply chain. And the last point is security and resilience of infrastructure. What we have seen, of course, is also of importance. So this package will come by the end of the year with a guidance also on grid connections. The and the delegated act, which is the tool when we present our next list, will be integrated together and presented. The process is very inclusive. So we are working in regional groups. So it's as I said for the time being very much bottom up. We have regional groups from Southwest Europe to North Sea to Southeast Europe, um, and uh, the rest the Baltic Sea.”
Off-shore renewables · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects · EU energy infrastructure integration
- 2025-09-22 “There will be some reinforcement, but the European oversight is something our commissioner is very committed. So let's see. We will propose we have first still this week to go to the Regulatory Scrutiny Board with our impact assessment. If we survive that, we will concentrate on the legal proposal and if there is a need, we are always available with the team for further meetings to go more in depth. But I think one clear lesson learned is that the bottom up approach is not covering all the needs, and that's why we also need want to strengthen the needs assessment from an EU point of view, because some of the member states are transitioning countries, uh, they might not have a national need, but an EU need to strengthen south east Europe. We link it very much to the situation of energy prices. One of our A priority is affordable energy. And we see still that in south east Europe, for example, prices are particularly high, higher than in other parts of Europe. So whatever we can do to strengthen the links there and have a more European view. The other end is also Southwest Europe, which is still not enough interconnected, but also in the whole Europe. I don't want to exclude any, any area, any region, uh, because we know we need that. So the European oversight is something we are working strongly. Let's see, uh, when we come out, we hope very much on the support of the European Parliament. Thank you.”
EU approach to electricity market and prices · Energy (green transition) · EU energy infrastructure integration
- 2025-09-22 “So a lot of new projects are emerging, but some are not carried forward. So we have looked at now and I can already say not the numbers, but to ensure that electricity is the big priority, we come next year also with an electrification action plan, so that remains a big priority. But we got a lot of good proposals on hydrogen, some purely national, and that's not the aim of tennis. It's really the cross-border aspect only if you need to reinforce the national line. So towards the cross-border aspect then it's important. But if it's purely national, which in the hydrogen area, uh, is um, sometimes, uh, the case we learned from that that we need a better needs assessment, more stricter certainly in the hydrogen. So what we will propose also in the new grids package is a better needs assessment. And then the second list will probably have some proposals uh, just to prolong which have already been on the first list but takes more time. So there are some lessons learned, uh, which we, uh, can look at. I must admit, on your permitting question, uh, we had it in read three, uh, where we gave, uh, overriding public interest for renewables projects. Tacit agreement. One stop shops. Member states are still implementing it. So we are pushing very hard. We see the 1 or 2 member states who have fully implemented the permitting part of Red three. There is a boost in energy renewables projects like wind in Germany to take one onshore projects, but not in all.”
Low-carbon hydrogen · EU approach to electricity market and prices · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
- 2025-09-22 “So these regional groups develop methodology. And then we bring together a wide range of stakeholders project promoters, national regulatory authorities, industry, NGOs, civil society, financing institutions. And what is also important. Experts from the parliament are part of the regional group meetings virtually. So we came away. That was criticized before. We have expert staff from the European Parliament who are part of the process and are part of the regional group meetings. So and the the results of these meetings are published on our website. So it's a transparent, inclusive project. So next step today happy to discuss and react to any questions and comments you have. And I think what we also like to do then presented before the end of the year as a delegated act, you know the process. We have two months uh, to non-objection period for the Parliament and the council. I would also like to draw your attention that the fourth cross-border renewables list is also now right now under scrutiny. Sorry. And we also would like a swift adoption of this delegated act of the Cross Border Renewables list, as it's an essential tool for the member states to promote renewable energy. So the support of the Parliament and all the member states is crucial for the two lists renewables project, but also what is under debate today, PCI and PMI. It's really important to complete the internal market and give really tangible benefits for citizens. So thank you very much for your attention. Very happy to be here today.”
EU approach to electricity market and prices · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
- 2025-09-22 “No, no, it's a very good question. So I will start with Mr. Berenson. Uh, first of all, I remember the negotiations on ten E and 21, uh, the revision, which concentrated all efforts on electricity in particular, but also on future hydrogen, CCS, smart grids, um, and the fact that we are revising it or proposed to revise it again before the end of this year, is that we indeed have some lessons learned how to do it better. Uh, the report from the European Parliament, uh, by the member, uh, Madame Sterk, was very, very helpful, uh, because it hinted on a number of areas which we could take into account. Uh, and I can go a bit deeper on what we are planning, but, uh, I can already say that was very useful. Um, so we had the first list on on based on the, on the ten revised two years ago, I would say, uh, a number of projects have certainly on electricity have moved forward, uh, very well, like the Bornholm energy Island, which is something between Germany and Denmark, where beginning of September, uh, the all the players, including the TSO, signed it. So it's it's a huge project. Um, some other we see some uncertainty, certainly in the area of hydrogen more than in electricity. I think it's in the nature of the market that the hydrogen market is developing. Supply and demand needs to match. And there was a bit of maybe a five years ago we thought more hydrogen projects are coming out.”
Low-carbon hydrogen · Carbon capture storage and utilisation
- 2025-09-22 “And we are pushing member states very, very hard. We will try to mirror some of that red three for renewables to grids. In a way it makes sense, of course, because they are interlinked. Um, um, but that is the main, uh, idea. Uh, to have, uh, have that, uh, from the red and the emergency regulation, uh, we have so that's on permitting. I'm not aware of the temporary derogation in the construction phase, so I have to come back to that. It's probably for hydrogen more for than for electricity. But we come back to you then. Uh, Mr. has said, um, the second list. I cannot yet say where we are, but we will make sure that electricity is and remains the main focus. While we both agree or we all agree that hydrogen is the future, we need supply, demand, but also the necessary infrastructure. And that's why there will be also a good number of hydrogen projects, um, on the upcoming grids. So our plan is to come well before Christmas, end of November, beginning December, with a proposed revision of the ten E with stronger permitting, kind of mirroring what we have in red three, uh, with more European planning. European. That will be our proposal, uh, with cost sharing, as I said, something also to incentivize and modernize existing grids, uh, because we shouldn't forget there is also potential there and also, um, uh, critical threats on critical infrastructure.”
Low-carbon hydrogen · Energy (green transition) · EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
- 2025-09-22 “But there are many more, uh, in the last ten years at least. And we are very happy that with the new proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework, it was recognised that plays an important role. And the current budget we have from 2127 is 5.84 billion. Hour proposal from the commission is to increase it by 5 to 29.9 billion, so nearly €30 billion for the period of the next MFF 2834 and we hope very much that in the negotiations with Parliament and Council that this CEF programme, which is one of the explicit programmes of the new MFF, can not only survive with the amount we have, but also then keep this at least 30 billion US. So we need to look what is happening and the the tool to look at it is the Trans-European networks for energy, the ten E, which is the well-developed regulatory framework. The last revision of the ten E was done in December 21st thanks to the co-legislators, and we are now preparing the next grids package. So before the end of this year, probably end November, December, we will come with what we call a grids package, basically meaning that we will most likely publish the list of the second list pci, PMI before Christmas, and we will present the revision of the next ten, the Trans European Network for energy. And what we are looking at to improve mainly five things the planning, the cross-border energy efficiency, energy infrastructure planning. Right now, it's very much bottom up. We want a more europeanised planning, programming to look at the bottlenecks which still exist and where are the current needs.”
Size of EU budget · Energy (green transition) · EU energy infrastructure integration
- 2025-09-22 “So we need the related grids also to integrate the renewables across the EU. We have both projects of common interest within the EU and projects of mutual interest. When there is a EU country connected with third country, where the benefit in our criteria must be within the EU country. So the new union list will identify the key infrastructure projects which are still needed for an integrated and interconnected energy market in the EU. So what is coming? We are at a moment where we want to build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable and affordable energy system. We have estimated we need investments of 584 billion for electricity grids and also for 20, 30, and even more, 1.2 trillion by 2040. We have a tool Connecting Europe facility for energy, which will continue to support cross-border energy projects in order to meet the investment needs. We have since more than ten years, that CEF Connecting Europe facility exists rewarded €8 Billion euros to support 124 flagship energy infrastructure, be it with the Baltic states where we interconnected and, uh, took many years. But in February this year, we had the historical momentum where the Baltic states were finally connected with the rest of Europe and disconnected with Russia. Also, thanks to Poland and the rest of the EU member states, we have the Celtic interconnector, France and Ireland, and we have a Biscay bay, just to name a few examples, which are our flagships.”
EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources) · Energy (green transition) · EU energy infrastructure integration
- “We of course need to develop CCUs is part also of the legislation of the 2040 framework, which I don't want to discuss here, but we know that we have to build up CCS and CCU. That we do jointly with DG climate in order to take the framework to to produce low carbon gases with CCS. Um, I think there was a question. Yeah. Nuclear technology. Neutrality. Push CCS. So once this delegated out act is adopted, we have the picture. Some of you mentioned the Renewable and Delegated Act. This is in place. We will monitor that very very carefully. We have launched a study and see the impact. And if there's any action to be taken we will do it. So but we want to base it on facts and figures and maybe uh, last point as well. Um, or two last points, um, on complicated regulation. I think we need the balance. Right. Uncertainty, predictability. We have gone a long way with that delegated act. And as I said, we have. Thanks also to your input and the discussions. We had, uh, improved it to make it as clear as possible. And I already highlighted the improvements. We made a last word on the hydrogen gas market and more in general. Uh, it was mentioned, uh, Norway is a key partner for pipeline gas, but they cannot basically produce more gas right now. They we are have learned during the energy crisis that we are dependent and we want to reduce dependence in general. And definitely the commissioner said it clearly on Russian gas.”
Natural gas · Carbon capture storage and utilisation · Energy (green transition)
- “The components currently come from other industries. That's why it's a bit harder to include them now. And to be also clear, the to have a balance with article 46 of the Net Zero act, who says that we should have a comprehensive assessment to identify specific essential components that can reasonably consider to be primarily used. So we cannot use get all of them. That would be too much. But I think we found a middle ground. And as I said, the methodology is simple. It's it's adaptable. And we can be open in the future. Um, and then, uh, there was a question on the resilience criteria. I think that really links to the implementing act on resilience criteria and auctions in renewables. This is something which is also based on the Net Zero Industrial Act. We have more or less finalised, uh, this resilience criteria, non-price criteria for renewables. And we have an expert meeting, a committee meeting on Friday. And normally all these delegated acts implement an act. Therefore in total based on the Net zero Industrial Act should come out as soon as possible as a package because they are interlinked with the one we are presenting here today. Um. And then I pass the floor, maybe to my colleague Joachim. And I would like to thank you for this very fruitful debate.”
Sourcing of critical raw materials
- “Thank you very much. And thank you also, Mr. rapporteur, Mr. Ehler and all others, I fully agree from the commission side that the economic situation and the security and what's happening right now geopolitically gives another boost to our net zero industrial act and the raison d'etre, if I would say, and really be vigilant on our clean tech. And in Europe. So there's full awareness and full agreement on that. Just coming back then to some of the questions, first of all, indeed, we had the first platform meeting in February. You were there. Mr.. And Mr. Grundler, and I think it was a good first exchange with member states. We will continue doing that also to help implementing the Net Zero Industrial Act and of course to adapt it the lists if needed. So as I explained, we we had a list initially for the primarily used of 200. After consultation we had about 50. And we have just to clarify included the PV grade polysilicon in the draft. So this is included. Um, and we are also, as I said, open following our methodology to include more after this first list is adopted. So it's an ongoing open process if if the technology world which is evolving and the security situation, which is evolving to adapt the list, for now, we have roughly 250 250 PV grade polysilicon is included. Compressing CO2 or the value of CS is not yet fully established, so we have a bit of difficulty to identify the components.”
Sourcing of critical raw materials
- “We have also to place the Hydrogen Delegate Act in a larger framework. Uh, we need to implement the Renewable Energy Directive where there are targets, sub targets for industry and transport and what industry is telling us push the member states to implement the sub targets. So there's the demand for offtake of hydrogen. And that's we are working on with member states. So this is a clear request from the industry, but also, of course, an obligation by US and member states to implement the Renewable Energy Directive, but also the refuel aviation and the fuel EU maritime regulation to drive demand and to pull both renewable and low carbon hydrogen to decarbonize the European hydrogen Bank. I mentioned, two calls have happened. We are preparing the third call. We have an aggregate EU mechanism to put demand and supply together. Also in the hydrogen market. So it's part of a bigger picture to step up the market for our industry. We also have in the Renewables Directive the obligation or the request. I remember that from the Parliament at the time to come up with an updated hydrogen strategy. We have done 1 in 2020. We know 5 or 6 years now after we have to start, and we already know that we can produce hydrogen within the EU, but we also need to import hydrogen. Both is needed. Some member states are more dependent on imports, but overall we know that we can produce it within the EU. But we also need for your question on the Czech Republic as well.”
Low-carbon hydrogen · Decarbonisation of aviation sector
- “A methodology was drawn up based on the provisions of the Basic Act, so the first list of components was drafted based on this methodology. It was a collective effort within the Commission. Also, thanks to our joint Research Centre and extensive consultation with all the stakeholders. A public feedback period of four weeks as well as presented to Member States for their comments. That's why we submit the draft act in that consultation process. We added around 55 zero components to our original list of 200 components. Later today, an expert group meeting by Member States will be held. And then we hope that the adoption process by the Commission should be launched very soon. We want to adopt it as soon as possible to give clarity. That delegated act is closely linked to the implementing act, which lists the main specific components which are covered by article 29 of the net zero. Net zero Industrial act. It will contain the main specific components that are relevant for the purpose of the assessment of the contribution to resilience in public procurement, auctions for renewable action, and other forms of public support. That's why the two delegated acts and implementing acts are closely linked. And I would like to pass the floor to my colleague from DG grow, Joaquim Nunez de Almeida, please.”
Sourcing of critical raw materials
- “Thank you, Mr. Chair. Dear Mr. Budka, honourable members of the European Parliament. It's a pleasure to be here today. Looking at the current geopolitical context, I think energy and economic security and technology sovereignty is of utmost importance. That's why we are working actively to implement the Net Zero Industrial Act, also through the preparation of secondary legislation as requested by the lawmakers and by supporting Member States and stakeholders to implement the Net Zero Industrial Act. The Parliament has been a strong partner in this file throughout the negotiation and now in the implementation phase, and I would like in particular to thank the rapporteur, Mr. Ehler and others for his and all the others continuous dedication to this important file. Now, on the delegated act, the Net Zero Industrial Act supports the whole supply chain underpinning all the net zero technologies. It's demanding the annex to the Net Zero Industrial Act, and it provides a list of specific essential components that can reasonably be considered to be primarily used. And I underline primarily used for net zero technologies and therefore benefit from the relevant provision of the act, in particular permitting, which is crucial, and the possibility to become a strategic project. Also, the delegated act will support the implementation of the Net Zero Industrial Act by providing clarity to national authorities as well as stakeholders. Two comments on this list is not exhaustive. Components not listed now, but there can not listed can still be considered as primarily used by Member States on the basis of evidence Which provided by which can be provided by a project promoter to identify relevant components to be included in the annex.”
EU policy on permitting for renewable energy projects
- “Now it's possible to use hourly averages, which was a clear request. The values of the emission intensity of electricity were updated and better reflect the progress made in the energy transition. Because we are transitioning, our electricity mix is transitioning. We have 50% in average renewables. Some of our member states have a high share of nuclear and so on. So we need to adapt the values. Third, a standard value for upstream emissions based on pipeline gas was introduced so that additional emissions, which in order to produce LNG, liquefication regasification and transportation can be added on a project specific basis. So we can better distinguish the different forms of and sources of natural gas. And last but not least, the rules for Processing and paralysis of natural gas were clarified and made more operational. So with that proposal, we would then once adopted accepted work for methodology considering electricity from nuclear power plants via PPAs or direct connection, and will launch a consultation as soon as possible. This was also a clear request. We will make and start as soon. Or we have to be honest, already started, but we will take that up as a priority to really, uh, conclude by the end of next year. After the analysis, talk to stakeholders, industry and all players, uh, and consult to make it really workable and have the knowledge we need. And with all that, when we now finalize the rules for production of low carbon hydrogen and fuels, We think we will provide the investor the certainty for investors and other players.”
Green Taxonomy · Low-carbon hydrogen
- “Um, and we also know that some sectors are more advanced than others in asking for hydrogen to produce their greener products. Of course, we also keep in mind security and competitiveness, competitiveness of our industry. In order to build that together in that framework, uh, we have already tabled our gas and decarbonised hydrogen package. Which member states are implementing. We have adopted, thanks to the Parliament and Council, a delegated act on renewable hydrogen, which we are monitoring very closely and now on the table today is the legal framework for promotion of low carbon fuels and the delegated act on low carbon fuels and hydrogen. So we adopted on the 8th of July after intense discussions also with some of you, but also stakeholders, industry in particular. And we have established rules for producing low carbon hydrogen in a rather pragmatic way. We don't want to overregulate. We want to give certainty, predictability for market, which is growing. The delegated act sets out a comprehensive methodology so we can, as we were asked, to determine the greenhouse gas emission savings of various types of low carbon fuels and all that in a technology neutral way. So we basically have both low carbon fuels produced from natural gas, and that's mainly with with carbon capture to reduce emissions. Or we can produce low carbon fuels from low carbon electricity via electrolysis.”
Energy (green transition) · Green Taxonomy · Low-carbon hydrogen