Brussels, Prague – The European Commission today published the European Grids Package (EGP), a comprehensive set of measures aimed at strengthening energy security and competitiveness across the EU.
While the package contains promising recommendations for more efficient use of existing grid infrastructure, Frank Bold warns that their non-binding nature may significantly limit their real-world impact.
The EGP consists of legislative proposals amending key directives (RED, IEM, EPBD, and the internal gas market directive) alongside non-binding guidance documents. According to the Commission, more efficient use of existing grid capacity could save Member States up to 35% of grid development costs by 2040 – approximately €240 billion.
Central to the package is the Guidance on Efficient Grid Connections, which compiles best practices from Member States, including cancellation of long-dormant capacity reservations and regular monitoring of actual power usage at connected facilities. These recommendations align closely with the eight measures published by Frank Bold's expert group in April 2025, which were submitted to the Commission during the public consultation process.
"We welcome the Commission's recognition that smarter use of existing grids is essential for Europe's energy transition," said Tereza Fialová, EU Energy Policy Expert at Frank Bold. "However, placing these crucial efficiency measures in non-binding guidance rather than in the legislative texts is a missed opportunity. Without legal obligations, we risk Member States continuing with business as usual while grid congestion hampers renewable energy deployment across Europe."
Frank Bold announced it will work with Members of the European Parliament to table amendments that would incorporate the grid efficiency provisions into the binding directives currently under revision. The legislative process offers a window to strengthen these measures.
"The upcoming legislative debate is our chance to fix this," added Fialová. "Making grid efficiency requirements legally binding would accelerate the energy transition while protecting consumers from unnecessary infrastructure costs. This is particularly relevant for countries like Czechia, where inefficient grid management directly impacts regulated electricity prices paid by households and businesses."
The legislative proposals will now proceed to the European Parliament and Council for negotiation, with a transposition deadline of two years following adoption.
Frank Bold has previously published a study listing eight measures that need to be implemented for more efficient use of electricity grids.
Press contact:
Martin Vérteši
Press Officer, Frank Bold
martin.vertesi@frankbold.org, +420 705 720 824
Thanks to legal support from the Frank Bold expert group, the Czech Neighborhood Association Uhelná, which has been opposing the adverse effects of mining at the Polish Turów mine, has achieved a significant milestone: at their initiative, the Czech Environmental Inspectorate (CEI) launched an investigation to assess whether mining activities at Turów are causing long-term water loss on the Czech side of the border. This is one of the first cases in which the Czech office has applied the Act on the Prevention of Ecological Damage. The Inspectorate has also included the Polish mining company PGE in the proceedings.
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