On 26 June, the first-ever EU Tripartite Agreement on Energy Storage was signed, bringing together public and private stakeholders to accelerate the deployment of energy storage across Europe. Its signatories include EU energy ministers, storage developers and manufacturers, renewable energy developers, energy-intensive industries and financial institutions. The agreement was concluded on the margins of the Energy Council meeting in Luxembourg.

The initiative responds to the European Commission's estimate that the EU will require around 200 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030, compared with approximately 55 GW installed at the beginning of 2026. Introduced under the Affordable Energy Action Plan, the tripartite model brings together industry, public authorities and financial institutions around a shared set of commitments aimed at reducing investment risks and accelerating deployment. Through this first agreement, 22 Member States committed to national pledges expected to deliver between 30 and 35 GW of additional storage capacity over the next two years, while supporting a more flexible, resilient and competitive electricity system.

Separately, during the Energy Council meeting, ministers reached a general approach on the European Grids Package, comprising a revision of the Trans-European Energy Infrastructure (TEN-E) Regulation and a Directive to accelerate permitting procedures for energy infrastructure. Proposed by the European Commission in December 2025, the package aims to modernise and expand Europe's energy infrastructure to support electrification, decarbonisation and competitiveness. The Council's position seeks to strengthen cross-border infrastructure planning, streamline permitting procedures and enhance the resilience of Europe's energy networks. Following the Council's agreement, the European Parliament also adopted its negotiating position on 2 July, paving the way for interinstitutional negotiations with the aim of reaching a final agreement in 2026.

Ministers also exchanged views on the post-2030 energy framework, discussing the level of ambition and flexibility required to deliver the EU's 2040 climate target while strengthening competitiveness, strategic autonomy and energy security. In addition, the Council reviewed the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz, underlining the importance of preparedness for potential prolonged disruptions to energy markets.

EERA welcomes the signature of the Tripartite Agreement, which recognises the strategic role of energy storage in strengthening energy security, increasing system flexibility and supporting the integration of renewable energy. EERA will also continue to contribute actively to discussions on the European Grids Package, building on the recently published position paper developed by the EERA Joint Programme Smart Grids together with 26 partner organisations, which calls for stronger investment in research and innovation for Europe's electricity grids and power system components.