EU Action Plan Drives Digitalisation in Energy Sector with New Strategic Initiatives

Over the past two years, the EU Action Plan on the Digitalisation of the Energy System has been a driving force behind the green and digital transitions within the European energy sector. The plan outlines a clear vision and actionable measures to digitalise energy, aiming to improve energy market integration, decarbonisation efforts, and system resilience.

A key component of the plan is the increased access and exchange of energy data, which will empower actors across the energy value chain to launch new and innovative services. This initiative is expected to play a significant role in accelerating the EU’s transition to a sustainable energy system.

The Smart Energy Expert Group (SEEG), recently launched to assist the European Commission in the sustainable transformation of the energy system, represents a notable outcome of the action plan. The expert group, which includes three subgroups, focuses on critical areas: data for energy, consumer empowerment and protection, and cybersecurity.

In November 2024, the Data for Energy (D4E) subgroup convened for the first time to discuss key policies and develop strategies for improving access to, sharing, and reusing energy-related data. Priority areas for D4E include flexibility services for energy markets and grids, smart and bi-directional charging for electric vehicles, and enhancing energy efficiency in smart buildings—all vital for meeting the goals of the European Green Deal and the Digital Decade.

The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, has emphasized the continued importance of digitalisation within the energy sector. As outlined in a mission letter to Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, the EU will work on a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector. This effort will be complemented by the Electrification Action Plan, contributing to the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan.

These initiatives highlight the EU’s commitment to leveraging the potential of digital technologies and AI to build a more sustainable, responsible, and resilient energy sector.