European Distribution System Operators Outline Infrastructure Priorities for Distribution Grids

– European DSO organisations have identified priorities for distribution grids for the current European Commission, including investment and build-out prerequisites
– Recommendations include accelerating investment, simplifying permitting procedures, and reinforcing grid resilience
– Suggestions for the future include ensuring national implementation of European provisions, promoting regulatory consistency, and building a EU Alliance for the Green Deal Infrastructure

European DSO organisations have identified key priorities for distribution grids within the current European Commission, focusing on investment, access to capital, regulatory framework, and build-out prerequisites. They aim to develop concrete business cases and good practices in these areas to address challenges in grid resilience, supply chain, staffing, permitting, and more, with recommendations for the next European Commission starting in November 2024.

The organizations stress the crucial role of DSOs in achieving Green Deal objectives, particularly with the increasing connection of renewables to distribution grids and the rise in electrification of heating and mobility. They highlight the need to accelerate investment, mobilize private sector capital, simplify permitting procedures, and strengthen grid resilience to ensure security of supply in the face of cybersecurity threats and extreme weather conditions.

To achieve Green Deal objectives, they suggest ensuring national implementation of European provisions, mainstreaming grids in new energy and climate acts, promoting regulatory consistency, and establishing an EU Alliance for Green Deal Infrastructure. They propose a strategic technical roadmap supported by all stakeholders. With the upcoming European Commission election in June, fast action is necessary, focusing on the most pressing topics and issuing guiding principles and recommendations after each dialogue for implementation within a specific timeframe. The dialogues should involve both European and national levels and complement other technical initiatives.

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