MEPs upgrade EU energy infrastructure rules to lower energy prices 

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• Updating cross-border energy network rules (TEN-E) 
• Streamlining planning, permitting and investment decisions 
• More focus on price stability, climate adaptation and security 

The update of the TEN-E regulation aims to boost security of energy supply, help lower prices for households and businesses, and contribute to the EU’s climate neutrality goals.

On Thursday, MEPs from the Industry, Research and Energy Committee proposed changes to the rules governing trans-European energy infrastructure – the network of pipelines, cables, and other facilities that carry energy across borders within the EU. It should strengthen energy security by improving cross-border connections and reducing bottlenecks and help ensure energy can flow more freely across the continent.

Smarter planning and less red tape

The update will allow smarter planning, giving the European Commission a stronger role in developing a common energy scenario and ensuring that infrastructure decisions are based on shared and consistent data. The legislation will also bring in new tools to systematically identify gaps in the electricity and hydrogen networks, so that investment is directed where it is needed.

The proposal streamlines the authorisation process for key projects, reducing administrative delays. Before approving new physical infrastructure, authorities must consider whether existing networks can be optimised or whether digital and demand-side solutions could address the identified need.

Helping to bring down energy prices

In their amendments, MEPs say grid infrastructure expansion should actively support market integration, in particular effects on price stability and resource adequacy, as a deeper energy market integration can help bring down prices for households and businesses.

MEPs also insist on the needs for the timely deployment and integration of net-zero technologies. They expand the list of infrastructure priorities to be taken into account, including equipment and installations designed to ensure the protection and resilience of critical network elements, monitoring, control and digitalisation equipment, and projects that contribute to climate adaptation of energy infrastructure.

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“Europe needs the right infrastructure in the right places, based on robust data and a clear assessment of what citizens and our economy actually need,” lead MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D, Bulgaria) said. “The Commission will now have a stronger role in defining the strategic framework, while the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) will provide greater independent scrutiny. This is an important step towards making our infrastructure planning more democratic, transparent and accountable. The new rules should also help reduce the electricity price disparities among member states and regions, ensuring that all EU citizens can benefit from a more integrated energy market, stronger security of supply and fairer access to affordable energy, regardless of where they live.”

Next steps

The draft report was adopted by 56 votes to 10, with nine abstentions. Industry committee MEPs also decided, by 61 votes to six, and with eight abstentions, to launch talks with the Council on the final shape of the legislation, if their decision is endorsed at an upcoming plenary session.

Background

Meeting the 2030 interconnection targets is particularly important for completing the energy union and reaching European Union energy and climate goals. Given the scale of investment required, the persistent governance challenges around cross‑border projects and the need to enhance the robustness of the scenarios on which they are based, the European Commission has put forward a proposal to revise the TEN‑E regulation, as part of the European grids package published on 10 December 2025.