Description
High energy prices and electricity price volatility, particularly observed in South-East Europe, are major hindrances to European competitiveness. In addition to cost, heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels poses serious geopolitical, economic and climate-related risks for our continent. A key part of the answer is to decarbonise our energy systems, scale up clean and renewable energy production, and pursue electrification for lowering energy prices. To this end, we must accelerate cross-border energy infrastructure development, boost system flexibility including through energy storage deployment, and improve energy system integration.
The eight Energy Highways, set out as part of the European Grids package, will address key bottlenecks across Europe which represent the most urgent energy infrastructure needs. By supporting the concrete implementation of Projects of Common Interest and Projects of Mutual Interest, it will enhance overall security of supply, help integrate more renewables into the system and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thus decreasing energy prices.
To reinforce these efforts, the South-Eastern Europe electricity interconnection Energy Highway, aiming at improving price stability and energy security in southeastern Europe has been assigned CCT (Competitiveness Coordination Tool) status. Through CCT priority actions, efforts will be made to support, in particular, increasing the regions’ energy system flexibility.
To deliver results under the CCT, the Commission will act via regional cooperation in the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group. Through the CESEC, the Commission will work together with Member States, industry, energy suppliers and other stakeholders across the value chain to deliver a more flexible energy system, enhance inter-connection, promote the more efficient use of existing grids, and improve coordination. To this end, targeted discussions on improving energy system flexibility have been initiated in 2026 in CESEC. Other Commission initiatives, such as the Tripartite Agreement for Energy Storage signed on 26 June 2026 support these objectives.
Keys facts and figures
Estimated preliminary timeline
- December 2025
Launch of the energy highways initiative
- 26 June 2026
Tripartite agreement on energy storage signed by the Commission, 22 Member States and industry representatives. In parallel, 17 Member States submitted energy storage pledges for the period 2026-2028. All Member States in the South-East Europe Energy Highway CCT except Slovenia signed.
- Autumn 2026
Scoping continues in the CESEC High-Level Group