{"id":1937424,"date":"2026-05-15T11:07:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T08:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1937424"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:07:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T08:07:12","slug":"five-countries-push-back-against-commissions-electric-grid-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1937424","title":{"rendered":"Five countries push back against Commission&#8217;s electric grid plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/88\/27\/1200x675_cmsv2_3b814029-61f0-5003-9146-0089fabb9cd5-9758827.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893950-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2893950\" data-cid=\"9759857\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893950-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/97\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_d08b6a91-8806-5427-9d5a-b7929a6ada83-9759798.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Doctor's body at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pompeii: A doctor identified thanks to his instruments\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893989-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2893989\" data-cid=\"9760077\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893989-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/00\/77\/189x106_cmsv2_8955d2ad-3068-5a99-965a-7d2c488cc1f0-9760077.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway confirms move to cancel missile system sale to Malaysia\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894017-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894017\" data-cid=\"9760265\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894017-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/02\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f0b802f7-3045-52c3-b449-0fc4c510f1a0-9760265.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a session at Parliament in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday June 30, 2021. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish row fuels north\u2013south tensions ahead of tough EU budget talks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894034-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894034\" data-cid=\"9760355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894034-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/03\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_ddee6a2d-ef87-5a45-ba17-0e64e8768e86-9760355.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 15th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 15th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893950-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2893950\" data-cid=\"9759857\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893950-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/97\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_d08b6a91-8806-5427-9d5a-b7929a6ada83-9759798.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Doctor's body at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pompeii: A doctor identified thanks to his instruments\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893989-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2893989\" data-cid=\"9760077\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893989-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/00\/77\/189x106_cmsv2_8955d2ad-3068-5a99-965a-7d2c488cc1f0-9760077.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway confirms move to cancel missile system sale to Malaysia\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894017-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894017\" data-cid=\"9760265\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894017-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/02\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f0b802f7-3045-52c3-b449-0fc4c510f1a0-9760265.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a session at Parliament in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday June 30, 2021. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish row fuels north\u2013south tensions ahead of tough EU budget talks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894034-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894034\" data-cid=\"9760355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894034-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/03\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_ddee6a2d-ef87-5a45-ba17-0e64e8768e86-9760355.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 15th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 15th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Five countries push back against Commission&#8217;s electric grid plans<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/88\/27\/1536x864_cmsv2_3b814029-61f0-5003-9146-0089fabb9cd5-9758827.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"High voltage power lines are pictured outside Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              High voltage power lines are pictured outside Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/Jean-Francois Badias<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/Jean-Francois Badias\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1778843232\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-15 13:07:12 +02:00\">15\/05\/2026 &#8211; 13:07 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"partage-commentaire-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The five capitals argue that the European Commission oversteps member states\u2019 national competences and misunderstands how energy systems operate. They call for a European Union based on coordinated regional systems rather than a fully centralised energy union.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Five countries pushed back against the European Commission&#8217;s plans over what they see as an increasingly centralised vision for planning Europe\u2019s future electricity, according to a document seen by Euronews. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bulgaria, Finland, France, Poland and Sweden argue that the European Union\u2019s green transition risks becoming slower, more expensive and less secure if Brussels attempts to command grid development from the centre. Instead, they are proposing a Europe of coordinated regions rather than a fully centralised energy union.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;An exclusive focus on a top-down approach would hinder the (Grids) Package&#8217;s objective. We alternatively suggest that the regional planning and evaluation approach be strengthened and extended upon,&#8217; reads the document.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission launched a legislative proposal to overhaul the grids in December, calling for stronger coordination in revising the EU\u2019s law governing trans-European energy infrastructure, including the creation of a \u201ccentral scenario\u201d to guide long-term investment across EU countries. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Europe needs to be more radical on the energy crisis. But how? EU Climate Commissioner explains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The five-country coalition argues that such an approach misunderstands how energy systems actually function on the ground. They say that the energy infrastructure is too complex, too regionally specific and too politically sensitive to be designed through a single Brussels-led model. <\/p>\n<p>Since Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has accelerated efforts to boost energy security by electrifying industry and integrating renewable power at an unprecedented speed. That sense of urgency has empowered the Commission to seek stronger strategic oversight, triggering heightened national sensitivities around sovereignty, industrial competitiveness and public costs.<\/p>\n<h2>Rejecting a top-down approach<\/h2>\n<p>The signatories argue that national companies responsible for operating the high-voltage electricity grid and regional authorities have the operational knowledge needed to identify real bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities and investment priorities. <\/p>\n<p>A Commission-led control, they say, could produce infrastructure that looks efficient in theory but proves economically wasteful in practice.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A single scenario wrongly assumes that there is only one way to achieve energy and climate policy objectives,&#8221; reads the document. <\/p>\n<p>The countries fear a future in which massive interconnectors are built without adequate alignment to domestic grid reinforcements, leaving expensive infrastructure underused while consumers absorb the cost through higher electricity bills. <\/p>\n<p>The national companies responsible for energy transmission, such as the French R\u00e9seau de Transport d&#8217;\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 or the Swedish Svenska kraftn\u00e4t, should remain the technical architects of planning, while the Commission should act primarily as coordinator rather than director, the letter suggests.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU to slash power bills by cutting taxes and grid costs<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Exclusive: Price distortions in EU energy market must end, Portuguese minister tells Euronews<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sweden has emerged as one of the most outspoken EU countries against the Commission&#8217;s power grid plan. Recently, Stockholm announced plans to halt construction of a new power cable to Denmark, in response to the Commission&#8217;s proposal to use revenues from electricity congestion charges to revamp the bloc&#8217;s electricity infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe EU should not receive Swedes\u2019 electricity money. At the moment, Brussels is not listening to us. That\u2019s why we are pausing plans for new cables for power exports,\u201d Swedish energy minister Ebba Busch said on 11 May.<\/p>\n<p>Revenues from electricity congestion are the excess funds generated when power lines reach capacity, which are then recycled back into building better infrastructure or lowering consumer fees, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators explained.<\/p>\n<p>Busch said the legislative text, currently under negotiation, still restricts member states\u2019 use of congestion revenues more than the current law does. The Swedish government is also considering whether to proceed with new cables to Finland, Busch added.<\/p>\n<h2>Battle for institutional power<\/h2>\n<p>The upcoming negotiations over the so-called Grids Package, which unveiled a \u20ac1.2 trillion investment by 2040 to revamp power infrastructure, go far beyond grids and cables. They are becoming a test of how the EU balances strategic coordination with national control in the era of climate transition.<\/p>\n<p>The five countries claim the Commission is moving beyond coordination and edging towards political control over investment planning. Particularly controversial is the idea that Brussels could initiate projects outside existing national planning mechanisms \u2014 a red line for the signatories.<\/p>\n<p>They insist that EU countries must retain political authority over energy choices, especially regarding national energy mixes and strategic infrastructure priorities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Energy ministers confront Europe\u2019s dependence on China\u2019s power storage dominance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The division of responsibilities must be clear: member states must retain political decision-making powers, European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) must provide their technical expertise and knowledge of the energy grids and the Commission must ensure coordination and dialogue with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN) groups,&#8221; reads the document.<\/p>\n<p>However, the five EU countries are not rejecting European coordination altogether. They back cross-border cooperation and recognise the need for interconnected infrastructure to achieve decarbonisation and energy security, according to the document.<\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;Critical&#8217; political talks<\/h2>\n<p>MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (S&amp;D\/Bulgaria), who is leading the legislative file in the European Parliament, broadly backs a more centralised EU-level energy infrastructure planning system, although it also tries to preserve some national input and transparency safeguards.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The rapporteur supports the Commission\u2019s move towards a stronger Union-level planning architecture based on a central scenario, infrastructure-needs identification and a more harmonised cost-benefit analysis,&#8221; reads Penkova&#8217;s draft report published on 24 April.<\/p>\n<p>The EU Cyprus Presidency, currently mediating political files among the 27 EU countries, has already taken into account &#8220;many changes to the text to reflect their concerns and needs&#8221;, a spokesperson told Euronews.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Does Europe need a supergrid? Experts weigh up pros and cons of \u2018stitching\u2019 national grids together<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;We are now moving toward a balanced compromise, and importantly, we are close to reaching an agreement,&#8221; the spokesperson of the Cyprus Presidency added, underlining &#8220;how critical the file&#8221; is. <\/p>\n<p>Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recently urged the EU co-legislators, the Council and the Parliament, to speed up a political agreement on the Grids Package before the summer. <\/p>\n<p>However, due to political infighting, with countries needing interconnecting funding versus net contributors worried about redistribution, the file is more likely to be pushed to the upcoming EU Irish Presidency, taking the helm on 1 July.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU to slash power bills by cutting taxes and grid costs<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Is the EU\u2019s Grids Package the answer to energy independence? <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  European Commission to open up energy infrastructure law to speed up grid permits <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU Policy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Electricity market<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Commission<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893911-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893911\" data-cid=\"9759527\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893911-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/95\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_8c8612ca-5218-5776-9854-1d3a822f86a5-9759527.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The special tribunal aims to bring Vladimir Putin to trial.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Point of no return&#8217;: 36 countries join tribunal to prosecute Putin<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893931-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893931\" data-cid=\"9759670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893931-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/96\/20\/320x180_cmsv2_f38f6894-cac7-52ab-8677-dba3b46b6398-9759620.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Underwhelming summit outcome in China brings Trump back to reality<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893900-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893900\" data-cid=\"9759454\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893900-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/94\/54\/320x180_cmsv2_8849f035-5b73-5e9e-a87d-aaf590db9534-9759454.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the 23rd Ordinary Federal Congress of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday; May 12, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Merz doubles down on opposition to \u2018Draghi-style\u2019 common debt proposal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2894017-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894017\" data-cid=\"9760265\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894017-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/02\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_f0b802f7-3045-52c3-b449-0fc4c510f1a0-9760265.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a session at Parliament in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday June 30, 2021. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish row fuels north\u2013south tensions ahead of tough EU budget talks<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893989-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893989\" data-cid=\"9760077\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893989-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/00\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_8955d2ad-3068-5a99-965a-7d2c488cc1f0-9760077.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway confirms move to cancel missile system sale to Malaysia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893536-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893536\" data-cid=\"9757725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe do workers earn the most \u2014 and the least?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893931-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893931\" data-cid=\"9759670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Underwhelming summit outcome in China brings Trump back to reality<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893714-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893714\" data-cid=\"9758652\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia&#8217;s prison population falls by 180,000 since start of Ukraine war<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893810-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893810\" data-cid=\"9759111\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump and Xi wrap up summit claiming progress in stabilising ties<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893631-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893631\" data-cid=\"9758250\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ship taken near UAE coast headed for Iranian waters, UK agency says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893911-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893911\" data-cid=\"9759527\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893911-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/95\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_8c8612ca-5218-5776-9854-1d3a822f86a5-9759527.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The special tribunal aims to bring Vladimir Putin to trial.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Point of no return&#8217;: 36 countries join tribunal to prosecute Putin<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893931-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893931\" data-cid=\"9759670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893931-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/96\/20\/320x180_cmsv2_f38f6894-cac7-52ab-8677-dba3b46b6398-9759620.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Underwhelming summit outcome in China brings Trump back to reality<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893900-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893900\" data-cid=\"9759454\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893900-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/94\/54\/320x180_cmsv2_8849f035-5b73-5e9e-a87d-aaf590db9534-9759454.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the 23rd Ordinary Federal Congress of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday; May 12, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Merz doubles down on opposition to \u2018Draghi-style\u2019 common debt proposal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894017-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894017\" data-cid=\"9760265\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894017-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/02\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_f0b802f7-3045-52c3-b449-0fc4c510f1a0-9760265.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a session at Parliament in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday June 30, 2021. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish row fuels north\u2013south tensions ahead of tough EU budget talks<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893989-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893989\" data-cid=\"9760077\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893989-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/00\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_8955d2ad-3068-5a99-965a-7d2c488cc1f0-9760077.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AP\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway confirms move to cancel missile system sale to Malaysia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893536-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893536\" data-cid=\"9757725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe do workers earn the most \u2014 and the least?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893931-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893931\" data-cid=\"9759670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Underwhelming summit outcome in China brings Trump back to reality<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893714-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893714\" data-cid=\"9758652\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia&#8217;s prison population falls by 180,000 since start of Ukraine war<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893810-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893810\" data-cid=\"9759111\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump and Xi wrap up summit claiming progress in stabilising ties<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893631-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893631\" data-cid=\"9758250\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ship taken near UAE coast headed for Iranian waters, UK agency says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Five countries pushed back against the European Commission&#8217;s plans over what they see as an increasingly centralised vision for planning Europe\u2019s future electricity, according to a document seen by Euronews.Bulgaria, Finland, France, Poland and Sweden argue that the European Union\u2019s green transition risks becoming slower, more expensive and less secure if Brussels attempts to command grid development from the centre. Instead, they are proposing a Europe of coordinated regions rather than a fully centralised energy union.&#8221;An exclusive focus on a top-down approach would hinder the (Grids) Package&#8217;s objective. We alternatively suggest that the regional planning and evaluation approach be strengthened and extended upon,&#8217; reads the document.The Commission launched a legislative proposal to overhaul the grids in December, calling for stronger coordination in revising the EU\u2019s law governing trans-European energy infrastructure, including the creation of a \u201ccentral scenario\u201d to guide long-term investment across EU countries.The five-country coalition argues that such an approach misunderstands how energy systems actually function on the ground. They say that the energy infrastructure is too complex, too regionally specific and too politically sensitive to be designed through a single Brussels-led model.Since Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has accelerated efforts to boost energy security by electrifying industry and integrating renewable power at an unprecedented speed. That sense of urgency has empowered the Commission to seek stronger strategic oversight, triggering heightened national sensitivities around sovereignty, industrial competitiveness and public costs.Rejecting a top-down approachThe signatories argue that national companies responsible for operating the high-voltage electricity grid and regional authorities have the operational knowledge needed to identify real bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities and investment priorities.A Commission-led control, they say, could produce infrastructure that looks efficient in theory but proves economically wasteful in practice.&#8221;A single scenario wrongly assumes that there is only one way to achieve energy and climate policy objectives,&#8221; reads the document.The countries fear a future in which massive interconnectors are built without adequate alignment to domestic grid reinforcements, leaving expensive infrastructure underused while consumers absorb the cost through higher electricity bills.The national companies responsible for energy transmission, such as the French R\u00e9seau de Transport d&#8217;\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 or the Swedish Svenska kraftn\u00e4t, should remain the technical architects of planning, while the Commission should act primarily as coordinator rather than director, the letter suggests.Sweden has emerged as one of the most outspoken EU countries against the Commission&#8217;s power grid plan. Recently, Stockholm announced plans to halt construction of a new power cable to Denmark, in response to the Commission&#8217;s proposal to use revenues from electricity congestion charges to revamp the bloc&#8217;s electricity infrastructure.\u201cThe EU should not receive Swedes\u2019 electricity money. At the moment, Brussels is not listening to us. That\u2019s why we are pausing plans for new cables for power exports,\u201d Swedish energy minister Ebba Busch said on 11 May.Revenues from electricity congestion are the excess funds generated when power lines reach capacity, which are then recycled back into building better infrastructure or lowering consumer fees, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators explained.Busch said the legislative text, currently under negotiation, still restricts member states\u2019 use of congestion revenues more than the current law does. The Swedish government is also considering whether to proceed with new cables to Finland, Busch added.Battle for institutional powerThe upcoming negotiations over the so-called Grids Package, which unveiled a \u20ac1.2 trillion investment by 2040 to revamp power infrastructure, go far beyond grids and cables. They are becoming a test of how the EU balances strategic coordination with national control in the era of climate transition.The five countries claim the Commission is moving beyond coordination and edging towards political control over investment planning. Particularly controversial is the idea that Brussels could initiate projects outside existing national planning mechanisms \u2014 a red line for the signatories.They insist that EU countries must retain political authority over energy choices, especially regarding national energy mixes and strategic infrastructure priorities.&#8221;The division of responsibilities must be clear: member states must retain political decision-making powers, European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) must provide their technical expertise and knowledge of the energy grids and the Commission must ensure coordination and dialogue with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN) groups,&#8221; reads the document.However, the five EU countries are not rejecting European coordination altogether. They back cross-border cooperation and recognise the need for interconnected infrastructure to achieve decarbonisation and energy security, according to the document.&#8217;Critical&#8217; political talksMEP Tsvetelina Penkova (S&amp;D\/Bulgaria), who is leading the legislative file in the European Parliament, broadly backs a more centralised EU-level energy infrastructure planning system, although it also tries to preserve some national input and transparency safeguards.&#8221;The rapporteur supports the Commission\u2019s move towards a stronger Union-level planning architecture based on a central scenario, infrastructure-needs identification and a more harmonised cost-benefit analysis,&#8221; reads Penkova&#8217;s draft report published on 24 April.The EU Cyprus Presidency, currently mediating political files among the 27 EU countries, has already taken into account &#8220;many changes to the text to reflect their concerns and needs&#8221;, a spokesperson told Euronews.&#8221;We are now moving toward a balanced compromise, and importantly, we are close to reaching an agreement,&#8221; the spokesperson of the Cyprus Presidency added, underlining &#8220;how critical the file&#8221; is.Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recently urged the EU co-legislators, the Council and the Parliament, to speed up a political agreement on the Grids Package before the summer.However, due to political infighting, with countries needing interconnecting funding versus net contributors worried about redistribution, the file is more likely to be pushed to the upcoming EU Irish Presidency, taking the helm on 1 July.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/15\/five-countries-push-back-against-commissions-electric-grid-plans&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/88\/27\/1200x675_cmsv2_3b814029-61f0-5003-9146-0089fabb9cd5-9758827.jpg&#8221;] Culture news Pompeii: A doctor identified thanks to his instruments Europe News Norway confirms move to cancel missile system sale to Malaysia Europe News Spanish row fuels north\u2013south tensions ahead of tough EU budget talks Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 15th, 2026 \u2013 Evening Culture news Pompeii: A [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1937424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1937424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1937424"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1937424\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1937424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1937424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1937424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}