Supporting investments in smart grids

About

A workshop on the financing of smart grids investments with European structural and investment funds (ESIF) was held in Brussels on 25 march 2015.

Target audience

The workshop was targeted to representatives from Managing Authorities and line ministries that are or will be responsible for the identification and development of smart grids projects and programs in the 2014-2020 programming period. Potential implementing agencies for smart grids projects under ESIF such as transmission or distribution system operators and utilities in general were also invited to the workshop.

Objectives

The aim of the workshop was to support national authorities and key stakeholders in Members States in planning and designing the allocation of EU funds for supporting investments in smart electricity grids during the 2014 – 2020 EU programming period.

Potential implementing agencies for smart grids projects under ESIF such as transmission or distribution system operators and utilities in general were also invited to the workshop.

The workshop built upon the results of a study commissioned by JASPERS and introduced a conceptual framework for financing smart grids with European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). It presented key legislative requirements, lessons learnt and current development in smart grid projects within the EU, progress in their deployment and key considerations on smart metering.

The experience and lessons learnt by the European Investment Bank for the financing  smart grids projects was also presented.