Networks
Europe’s looming power grid roadblock: Transformers
Est. 5minA shortage of transformers is putting Europe's grid build-out at risk, stretching project lead times and adding to a price surge that will be felt on consumers' bills, researchers and experts have warned.
Europe embraces speedier, riskier way of building power grids
Est. 4minThe EU is looking to fast-track massive investments into its energy infrastructure, shifting risk from companies to consumers and risking a landscape with derelict, half-finished pylons.
Europe’s industrialists want deep reform of power market to tackle €800b grid spending gap
Est. 4minThe EU is faced with a grid investment gap of €800 billion until 2030, finds a report commissioned by industry lobby-group ERT, who call for another power market revamp to help address the issue.
Ukraine, Moldova, Slovakia join ‘Vertical Corridor’ European gas transportation scheme
Est. 2minUkraine, Moldova and Slovakia on Friday (19 January) joined an initiative for a planned corridor to carry natural gas between Greece and countries to its north as Europe steps up efforts to diversify supply and boost energy security.
Berlin to present first European rules on hydrogen grid financing
Est. 5minGermany could soon become the first European country to put in place a policy framework for supporting investments in hydrogen infrastructure, in anticipation of EU regulations that are currently still in the making.
Germany speeds up infrastructure projects with automatic approvals
Est. 3minGermany’s federal and state governments have agreed on a package to speed up the roll-out of new infrastructure projects such as railways and power grids, in part by automatically approving applications if there is no timely response by responsible authorities.
Grid fees remain key sticking point as EU finalises hydrogen rules
Est. 7minAs the European Union finalises its hydrogen and gas rulebook, key issues remain on how to remunerate network operators for building and maintaining Europe’s future hydrogen grid.
Breton wants EU investment bank to finance nuclear, sides with France
Est. 3minThe European Investment Bank (EIB) ought to ‘support the EU’s key public policies,’ and so must finance nuclear energy, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told journalists on Wednesday, effectively siding with the French approach.
Germany aims to connect 100,000 buildings to district heating every year
Est. 5minThe high-profile political spat over the end of fossil fuel boilers in Germany may end up benefitting demand for connections to city-wide heating grids similar to those currently deployed in Berlin, with plans to connect 100,000 buildings every year.
EU eyes ‘billions’ worth in flexibility from local electricity grids
Est. 6minAs Europe shuts down its remaining coal power plants and turns away from volatile gas for electricity generation, it is also losing key flexible power supplies that can be switched on at the last minute to keep the lights on during peak hours.
France to expand electricity interconnections with Ireland, Italy
Est. 4minIrish and French energy regulators confirmed that the Celtic Interconnector will be completed by 2027, despite a substantial re-evaluation of the project's costs. The French grid operator also confirmed the partial launch of the Savoy-Piedmont electricity interconnection.
EU Parliament backs MidCat pipeline, despite French opposition
Est. 3minThe European Parliament voted on a resolution to tackle energy prices on Wednesday (5 October), which includes the relaunch of the MidCat pipeline linking Spain with France, despite opposition from French MEPs.
Spain and Germany strengthen alliance, pressure France on gas interconnector
Est. 4minSpain and Germany's leaders vowed on Wednesday (5 October) to strengthen their alliance and doubled down on their plan to build a new Pyrenean gas pipeline despite opposition from mutual neighbour France.
French project to export gas to Germany from October in final stages
Est. 4minFrance is on its way to approving a project to export 100 Gigawatt hours per day of gas to Germany from 10 October as the Energy Regulatory Commission launched the project's public consultation phase on Thursday (15 September) - the last but one step before the launch.
MidCat pipeline stand-off puts EU’s energy solidarity to the test
Est. 5minEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's call for greater EU "energy solidarity" during her State of the Union address could be difficult to achieve, as the Franco-Spanish MidCat gas pipeline project – on hold due to France's continued opposition – already shows.
Macron adamant no need for MidCat gas pipeline
Est. 4minFrench President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would not relaunch the MidCat gas interconnection project between France and Spain, but he hinted he could be open to persuasion.
France keeps blocking MidCat gas interconnection with Spain
Est. 4minSpain, Portugal and Germany have revived talks on the MidCat gas pipeline project linking the Iberian Peninsula with France, but Paris remains reluctant, calling the future of the project into question.
Catalan leader confident gas pipeline with France will be built this decade
Est. 3minThe head of the regional government of Catalonia is confident a pipeline to ship gas and potentially green hydrogen from the northeastern Spanish region to France will be built this decade as Europe seeks to cut its energy reliance on Russia.
Portugal seeks to position itself as Europe’s ‘new gateway for gas’
Est. 3minThe European Union will struggle to cut dependence on Russian gas, but must do so to avoid possible supply shortfalls next winter, a Portuguese minister said on Wednesday (16 March), adding Portugal's liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports could help.
Teresa Ribera reproaches France for lack of engagement in gas interconnection
Est. 2minSpain's energy Minister, Teresa Ribera, assured that "it is very difficult to make progress" with France on the construction of a gas pipeline that will allow Spain to export its stored gas to the rest of Europe.
Spain seeks EU funding for ‘green gas’ interconnector to rest of Europe
Est. 3minSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called on the European Union to finance gas interconnections with the rest of Europe, saying new infrastructure should also include green gases such as hydrogen. EURACTIV's partner El Diario reports.
Bulgaria may seek exception to any EU sanctions on Russian gas and oil
Est. 4minBulgaria supports sanctions on Russia as a means to halting its invasion of Ukraine, but will likely seek an exception on banning Russian natural gas and oil imports if such a proposal is put forward, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said.
Bulgaria vents fury over Greek company building IGB pipeline
Est. 4minBulgaria continues to be depleted of revenue because of persistent delays in completing the gas interconnector with Greece, energy minister Alexander Nikolov said in parliament on Thursday (6 January).
Revealed: How Malta lobbied to win EU backing for gas pipeline linked to journalist’s murder
Est. 14minIn a rare move, the Maltese government sent letters to Members of the European Parliament one week before a crucial EU negotiation in an attempt to persuade them to support a controversial gas pipeline connecting the Mediterranean island to Italy's gas network.