In December 2025, the European Commission introduced the European Grids Package – a strategic initiative aimed at modernizing the continent’s energy infrastructure. This package rests on three pillars: a non-legislative focus on “energy highways”, a comprehensive review of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation, and a specific directive designed to fast-track permitting processes.
While the current political debate focuses almost exclusively on electricity projects, infrastructure for fossil gas and hydrogen remains largely sidelined in the discussion; despite being framed as central to European energy sovereignty by many institutional actors.
The TEN-E Regulation was last revised in 2022. While the exclusion of most fossil gas projects was a significant victory welcomed by civil society, that revision left critical issues unaddressed. Significant gaps remain regarding governance, fossil-based hydrogen, infrastructure financing, and, most importantly, the selection process for Projects of Common Interest and Projects of Mutual Interest (PCI/PMI).
At the same time, the current draft remains largely unchanged from the 2022 version regarding gas and hydrogen. As the co-decision process begins, it is imperative that key sections of the regulation must be revised to align with climate reality and energy sovereignty.
You will find in our position paper our primary concerns and policy proposals.