Energy Council sets direction on grids package as storage tripartite agreement is signed

BRUSSELS, Belgium (26 June 2026): Today at the Energy Council in Luxembourg, 22 energy ministers adopted their position on the European grids package, aiming to modernise energy networks, accelerate electrification and strengthen Europe’s energy security.  
 
In parallel, representatives from public authorities, the storage sector and industrial energy consumers signed a tripartite initiative on energy storage. 

On the Grids Package, Dries Acke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe (he/him) said: “Today’s agreement on the European Grids Package in the Council marks an important step in advancing Europe’s energy transition with better planning, stronger interconnections and faster permitting for grids, storage and hybrid renewables.

The Council’s position, however, falls short in strengthening key tools that can concretely advance projects, such as digital permitting, clear connection timelines, and greater transparency for renewables and storage developers on grid connection options. 

The Council also missed the opportunity to highlight the importance of non-fossil flexibility solutions alongside grid build-out, such as storage and demand response. This is key to avoiding continued reliance on high and volatile fossil gas prices, and reduce the hours they set the market-wide electricity price.  

The ball is now with the European Parliament to improve on these points and ensure Europe builds a clean, competitive and resilient energy system based on renewables, grids, storage and electrification.” 

On the Tripartite agreement, Sonja Risteska, Head of Battery Storage European Platform of SolarPower Europe (she/her) said: “The tripartite agreement is a strong signal on the importance of energy storage and its ability to deliver quickly for Europe’s industries, aiming for 30-35 GW of new energy storage capacity between 2026-2028 . However, it is uncertain how the EU will reach this target with its current instruments. Therefore, Europe needs a dedicated Battery Storage Action Plan to reach this ambition, as well as the 200 GW of storage goal by 2030 outlined in AccelerateEU. Without it, we risk falling short of the scale needed to curb dependence on volatile energy markets and progress with the energy transition.

A clear, technology-targeted, long-term framework is essential to unlock investment, scale up renewables, and keep the power system stable and flexible. An EU Battery Storage Action Plan should deliver lower electricity prices, reduce Europe's reliance on gas, and support electrification efforts.” 

Notes 
 

• The European grids package was proposed by the European Commission in December 2025, to address the low interconnectivity among Member States and to make the EU’s energy network fit for climate neutrality. 
   
• Non-fossil flexibility allows our grids to adapt swiftly to this transition, enabling us to do more with less while achieving decarbonisation. However, Europe must multiply five-fold its flexibility capacity by 2030 to keep up with this growing electricity demand, a target we are currently far from meeting.
   
• It is estimated that 200 GW of storage capacity is needed by 2030 to meet the energy system’s needs, compared to around 55 GW of energy storage installed as of the beginning of 2026.
   
• SolarPower Europe, together with the Battery Storage Europe Platform members, is a signatory to the Tripartite agreement.  
   
• As part of today’s Energy Council discussions on the post-2030 energy framework, SolarPower Europe, together with national solar associations, is calling for an EU renewable energy target of at least 60% by 2040. A clear and ambitious target will be essential to guide investment, accelerate electrification, and ensure Europe delivers a competitive, secure and decarbonised energy system. 

© European Union 2026