# Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/initiative/strategic-roadmap-for-digitalisation-and-ai-in-the-energy-sector Entry type: initiative Source edition current through: 17 July 2026 (2026-07-17). This is not a page modification date. Status: delivered. A delivered initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Instrument: Communication Date as recorded: 03 Jun 2026 Date kind: date Status note: full date links only to published artifact types ## Summary The roadmap would connect digitalisation and AI with energy-system performance, data-centre integration and security. It proposes a model tripartite agreement for data centres, an EU rating scheme, smart-grid indicators, greater smart-meter coverage and AI models for grid management and permitting. It also envisages a framework for cross-border energy-data exchange, risk assessment for solar installations, an Energy Digitalisation Forum, a Fuel Observatory and a Better Energy Data initiative. ## Sources - [Official source]() ## Action items (21; complete published list) ### 1. Action item 710001 Flagship action 1: A model tripartite agreement for the sustainable integration of data centres into the energy system, to roll out local agreements between data centre operators, energy-related parties and public authorities. The model could lay down actions on: improved provision of information for better grid planning, better informing the decision-making for optimal data centre project sitting, increasing the transparency of grid connection requests (including the use-it-or-lose-it principle to avoid speculative queue reservation), improved use of PPAs14 and delivering additional generation of clean energy, delivering solutions for data centre flexibility (through market-based instruments and capitalising on the legal framework in force), supporting the recovery and use of waste heat and improving energy performance, leveraging flexible connection agreements as a means to access the grids where needed. The model can be subsequently adapted and piloted in Member States and regions. Water-related issues will be addressed in line with the development of the EU rating scheme for data centres. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 1. Digital dimension: no. ### 2. Action item 710002 Timing: A declaration of intent stating the willingness of the industry stakeholders to cooperate in the framework of a tripartite agreement, and identifying key areas for their action, will be adopted along this Strategic Roadmap; the model tripartite agreement will be published and promoted in the second half of 2026. In addition, and if necessary, the Commission will consider putting forward a legislative proposal to ensure the sustainable integration of data centres into the EU energy system. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 2. Digital dimension: no. ### 3. Action item 710003 Expected impacts: improved coordination between public authorities, data centre operators, electricity system operators and other relevant stakeholders; faster and more sustainable grid integration of data centres; greater uptake of clean energy sourcing and flexibility solutions; better energy performance; lower energy prices; and a more consistent but adaptable framework across Member States. Maximised synergies with district heating. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 3. Digital dimension: no. ### 4. Action item 710005 Flagship action 2: An EU rating scheme for data centres covering energy efficiency, water efficiency, clean energy use, waste heat reuse and flexibility15 and launch the process for minimum EU energy performance standards. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 5. Digital dimension: no. ### 5. Action item 710006 Timing: rating scheme adopted in 2026; first labels in 2027; minimum EU energy performance standards needs assessment by 2027. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 6. Digital dimension: no. ### 6. Action item 710007 Expected impacts: increased transparency and promotion of the sustainable development of data centres; optimised projected energy and water consumption. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 7. Digital dimension: no. ### 7. Action item 710009 Flagship action 3: Development of EU key performance indicators for smart grids and acceleration of smart meters rollout Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 9. Digital dimension: no. ### 8. Action item 710010 Timing: EU catalogue of indicators to be finalised by mid-2026. Legislative proposal in 2026 to accelerate the rollout of smart meters in the EU, aiming for minimum coverage in each Member States, and task ACER to provide recommendation on smart grid indicators in 2028 with regular monitoring of progress afterwards. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 10. Digital dimension: no. ### 9. Action item 710011 Expected impacts: improved investment decisions in smart and digitalised grids, more efficient use of existing grids, strengthened regulatory oversight by National Regulatory Authorities, more cost-efficient deployment of smart and digital solutions, and accelerated integration of renewables, electrification, resilience and energy efficiency across Europe. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 11. Digital dimension: no. ### 10. Action item 710013 Flagship action 4: Development of AI models across the energy value chain Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 13. Digital dimension: no. ### 11. Action item 710014 Timing: • A project agreement launching a Community of Practice for developing AI models for grid management and planning is signed alongside this Strategic Roadmap; dedicated Horizon Europe calls will open in 2026 (EUR 30 million) and 2027 (EUR 20 million); proof-of-concept AI models will be developed and tested in Q1 2027; first operational models by end of 2027. Develop digital portals for Member States, using generative AI technologies to streamline permit review for renewable energy, storage and grid projects; design in 2027; roll-out in 2028 for public authorities to use. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 14. Digital dimension: no. ### 12. Action item 710015 Expected impacts: improved grid observability, forecasting, congestion management and flexibility integration; easier access to digital tools that help households control consumption, and more inclusive participation in self-consumption and energy-sharing schemes, improved evidence-base for public action through better building-stock and performance data; accelerated renewable, storage and grid deployment through faster and more transparent permitting. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 15. Digital dimension: no. ### 13. Action item 710017 Flagship action 5: Establish an EU framework for simplified cross-border energy data exchange for smart energy services and AI model training Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 17. Digital dimension: no. ### 14. Action item 710018 Timing: assessment in 2026; development as of 2027. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 18. Digital dimension: no. ### 15. Action item 710019 Expected impacts: reduced fragmentation in energy data exchange; enabled cross-border smart energy services at scale; improved grid flexibility and renewable integration; innovation and new business models; a more efficient, integrated and competitive EU energy system; and a single market of smart energy services scalable across the EU. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 19. Digital dimension: no. ### 16. Action item 710021 Flagship action 6: Strengthen safety of AI and the cybersecurity of critical devices Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 21. Digital dimension: no. ### 17. Action item 710022 Timing: risk assessment of solar installations in the EU in 2026; review the energy security of supply framework in 2026. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 22. Digital dimension: no. ### 18. Action item 710023 Expected impacts: ensure transparency, explainability, and human oversight of AI technologies embedded in critical energy infrastructures; increase cybersecurity and resilience of electricity grids with high-risk devices such as solar inverters; ensure alignment with civil protection and emergency response protocols. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 23. Digital dimension: no. ### 19. Action item 710025 Flagship action 7: Track digitalisation progress in the EU and improve energy data availability Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 25. Digital dimension: no. ### 20. Action item 710026 Timing: convene an annual Energy Digitalisation Forum starting in 2026; define metrics to monitor the progress of digitalisation and AI adoption in 2027; create a Fuel Observatory in 2026; launch a Better Energy Data initiative in Q4 2026. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 26. Digital dimension: no. ### 21. Action item 710027 Expected impacts: ensure balanced digitalisation across Member States, improve energy data availability to monitor EU energy policy targets and support decision making. Provenance: source document doc-104, paragraph 27. Digital dimension: no. ## Referenced entries - [Energy Digitalisation Forum]() — status: forthcoming. EU digitalisation work on energy focuses on deploying digital solutions and European sovereign AI for grid optimisation, efficiency in buildings and industry, and demand-side flexibility. The strategic roadmap also addresses data centres' integration into the energy system and challenges linked to AI in critical infrastructure. It is accompanied by work on AI models for power grids and data sharing between energy and digital stakeholders. Source document doc-104, action item 710026: > Timing: convene an annual Energy Digitalisation Forum starting in 2026; define metrics to monitor the progress of digitalisation and AI adoption in 2027; create a Fuel Observatory in 2026; launch a Better Energy Data initiative in Q4 2026. - [EU Framework for Simplified Cross-Border Energy Data Exchange]() — status: forthcoming. The Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector, adopted by the Commission on 3 June 2026, lists as a flagship action the establishment of an EU framework for simplified cross-border energy data exchange for smart energy services and AI model training. The Commission says the core challenge is the absence of a coherent EU approach for trusted, cross-border energy data exchange. It says it will coordinate actions to streamline and simplify energy-specific data exchange in order to support cross-border smart energy services and sovereign AI, and that better exchange of energy data can help activate flexibility from electric vehicles, heat pumps, batteries and controllable demand. The roadmap says the work will build on stakeholder recommendations on data exchange for smart energy services published on 20 May. Source document doc-104, action item 710017: > Flagship action 5: Establish an EU framework for simplified cross-border energy data exchange for smart energy services and AI model training ## Citing documents - [Affordable Energy Action Plan]() — status: delivered. Source document doc-024, action item 230018: > Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector: Accelerates the rollout of EU AI solutions for grid optimisation, building energy efficiency and demand-side flexibility, while fostering AI-driven innovation and ensuring robust cybersecurity and data privacy safeguards. [2026] - [AI Continent Action Plan]() — status: not recorded. The AI Continent Action Plan combines computing infrastructure, access to data, wider AI use and skills development. It proposes AI Factories and Gigafactories, linked data labs and support for European data spaces, alongside work on cloud infrastructure. Industrial and scientific adoption would be supported through the Apply AI and AI in Science strategies, research funding and innovation hubs. The plan also addresses startup financing, access to markets and the attraction and training of AI talent. An AI Act Service Desk and consultation on regulatory challenges are intended to help organisations understand and meet their obligations. Source document doc-032, action item 310011: > Adopt a Strategic roadmap for digitalisation and AI in the energy sector (2026); ## Current developments Latest updates from Digital Policy Alert and Global Trade Alert. No reviewed developments available; this does not establish that no developments exist. ## Associated policy priorities - [Infrastructure & Strategic Resources]() ## Broader policy context (shared priority; not a direct citation) - [Battery Booster Strategy]() — status: delivered. Battery Booster plans use Innovation Fund and InvestEU support to reinforce the European battery value chain from raw materials to cell manufacturing. Measures include EUR 1 billion in grants for electric vehicle battery-cell projects, EUR 1.5 billion in interest-free Battery Booster Facility loans, and funding of up to EUR 300 million for critical raw-material projects. It also covers strategic-project calls, investment conditions, supply-chain diversification, EU content requirements and research on battery concepts, materials and manufacturing technologies. - [Chips Act 2.0]() — status: in progress. The review will sharpen Europe’s semiconductor strategy for the AI era, addressing gaps in leading-edge capacity and ecosystem resilience. It will prioritise energy-efficient, secure AI chips; streamline State-aid pathways; improve monitoring of supply-chain vulnerabilities and technology-leakage risks; and better coordinate EU-national programmes. Leveraging the Chips Joint Undertaking and EuroHPC, it will back new fabs and advanced packaging lines and tie support to strategic projects. The review aligns with the AI Continent agenda (i.e. powering AI Factories and forthcoming Gigafactories and setting requirements for European AI semiconductors) within a renewed, more coherent EU funding framework. - [Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA)]() — status: in progress. This law will close Europe’s compute gap by tripling data-centre capacity within 5–7 years and meeting economy-wide needs by 2035, underpinning AI development and sovereign cloud services. It will harmonise cloud policy, set minimum criteria (including for a narrow set of highly critical use cases run on highly secure EU-based cloud), and streamline permitting, site designation and access to energy/water, ensuring geographically balanced rollout. The Act will spur R&I in resource-efficient data centres, enable targeted support consistent with State-aid rules, and complement AI Factories/Gigafactories and the Chips Act ecosystem. - [Digital Networks Act (DNA)]() — status: in progress. This law will build a true Single Market for connectivity by harmonising authorisations and spectrum policy, enabling cross-border services and a coordinated path to 6G. It modernises the telecom rulebook to spur investment in fibre, 5G and cloud/edge networks, integrates satellite services, and tackles market fragmentation that keeps Europe split into various national markets. It will streamline permits, clarify open-internet rules for innovative services, support copper switch-off and cloud-based network transformation, and target up to a 50% reduction in reporting burdens. A stronger EU governance model will replace patchwork oversight, boosting resilience, security and scale for operators and users. - [Electrification Action Plan]() — status: delivered. This plan will accelerate cost-effective, system-friendly electrification to lower energy costs, boost competitiveness and cut emissions. It tackles supply and demand across industry, transport and buildings, and will run in parallel with a Heating & Cooling Strategy. Delivery focuses on reliability and flexibility, expanding and digitalising grids, scaling storage and demand response, deepening cross-border integration, and encouraging new demand near clean generation. Policy levers will improve the electricity-to-fossil price ratio (i.e. energy taxation, network tariffs, removing non-energy charges) while mobilising financing, manufacturing capacity and skills along the value chain. Progress will be tracked using KPIs, including raising electricity’s share of final energy toward 32–33% by 2030. - [Energy Union Package]() — status: forthcoming. The EU will deepen its Energy Union to deliver affordable, clean energy through stronger governance and integration. Therefore, the Commission will launch an Energy Union Task Force, publish a White Paper on electricity-market integration, revise the Governance Regulation, and present a Clean Energy Investment Strategy, a Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), and a Fusion Strategy. It will table an Electrification Action Plan, a Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector, and a Heating & Cooling Strategy to accelerate electrification, flexibility and efficiency. A revised energy-security framework will enhance stability and resilience, informed by lessons from the energy crisis. - [EU Critical Raw Materials Centre]() — status: forthcoming. The EU will establish the Platform to aggregate industrial demand, coordinate tenders, and secure diversified supplies for strategic value chains. Building on AggregateEU and complementing the Critical Raw Materials Act, the platform will align procurement across sectors, lower transaction costs for SMEs, and leverage EU and national de-risking tools. A dedicated EU Critical Raw Materials Centre will provide the purchasing backbone, organising joint buying for interested firms with Member States, coordinating strategic stockpiles, monitoring supply chains, and designing financial products for upstream projects in the EU and partner countries. - [EU Open Internet Stack]() — status: not recorded. The Open Internet Stack Initiative will fund development of end-user applications and underlying technologies for European sovereign digital commons. It has over €40 million dedicated within two Horizon Europe calls worth €307.3 million under the 'Digital, Industry and Space' cluster. The calls also support trustworthy AI, data services, robotics, quantum technologies, photonics and virtual worlds. Businesses, public administrations, academia and other entities from Member States and partner countries can apply until 15 April 2026. - [EU Space Act]() — status: in progress. The law will establish a single, harmonised regulatory framework for the safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability of space activities across the Union. It aims to overcome the fragmentation caused by 13 divergent national space laws across Europe, ensuring a predictable internal market for space services and space-based data. The Act introduces uniform authorisation and registration rules, tailored cybersecurity and debris-mitigation obligations, and a common environmental footprint methodology. By providing legal certainty and reducing regulatory complexity, it will strengthen the competitiveness of EU space operators, foster innovation in the New Space sector, and position Europe as a global standard-setter in space governance. - [EuroHPC Amendment for AI Gigafactories and Quantum]() — status: in progress. Proposed changes to the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking would provide a legal basis for AI Gigafactories and broaden its quantum remit. The facilities would support the development, training and deployment of large AI models for researchers, public-sector users, start-ups and industry, subject to access conditions. The quantum provisions cover research, innovation, infrastructure, skills, industrial capability, competence centres and links with classical high-performance computing. - [European Critical Communication System (EUCCS)]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission will propose legislation to interconnect Member States’ next-generation critical communications used by police, civil protection, emergency medical, border and security authorities. EUCCS will set harmonised requirements for operational mobility, strong resilience and strategic autonomy, enabling secure cross-border voice/data, priority services and roaming, including satellite back-up via IRIS². It will modernise national systems, ensure interoperability and encrypted communications, and support crisis coordination from terrorism to large-scale disasters. Governance will link with the Preparedness Union’s all-hazards approach and ERCC, with EU-funded pilots building capabilities using European providers. - [European Grids Package]() — status: delivered. The European Grid Package will fast-track expansion and modernisation of transmission and distribution networks, deepening market integration and lowering bills. It streamlines TEN-E, accelerates permitting — including environmental assessments — and mandates integrated, cross-border planning with effective cost-sharing, focusing on interconnectors and distribution grids. It prioritises digitalisation, flexibility and efficient use of existing assets, while increasing visibility of manufacturing supply needs. An EIB “grids manufacturing package” (≈€1.5 bn) will underpin EU component capacity, and an “Energy Highways” effort will tackle critical bottlenecks. Together, the measures unlock renewables and storage, strengthen security of supply, and support electrification at least cost. - [European Tech Sovereignty / Open-Source Strategy]() — status: delivered. The EU Open Source Strategy positions open source as a component of European technological sovereignty, especially for public administrations. It seeks to reduce dependency on single vendors and lock-in, while making digital assets easier to discover, reuse and maintain. Planned work includes procurement guidance, operational guidance for open assets, support for open-source bodies and networks, collaboration on key shared assets, and common repository security baselines. - [RESourceEU Action Plan]() — status: delivered. RESourceEU is intended to reduce critical-raw-material supply risks through finance, faster permitting, recycling, diversification and international partnerships. A CRM financing hub aims to mobilise EUR 3 billion within 12 months, while Horizon Europe calls of EUR 593 million and EUR 100 million of blended European Innovation Council finance support its objectives. The plan also backs projects in Greenland and Germany, raw-material matchmaking, stockpiling, export-scrap measures, foreign-investment controls and standards-based markets. - [Smart Meter Regulation]() — status: forthcoming. EU requirements for smart meters are intended to give consumers timely access to consumption data and dynamic electricity-price contracts, while helping networks manage changing supply and demand. The Commission has established interoperability requirements and procedures for non-discriminatory, transparent data access to support customer switching, retail competition and consumer choice. Smart meters also give network operators better information for investment planning and infrastructure management. - [Vision for the European Space Economy]() — status: delivered. Vision for the European Space Economy proposes common technical standards, more coordinated single-market procedures and assistance for operators complying with EU rules. Delivered through the EU Space Act, measures include support for space-traffic-management services, mutual recognition of rules with third countries and strengthened space research and innovation. A long-term plan addresses multi-source supply for 47 identified critical space technologies, alongside updated roadmaps intended to strengthen the security and resilience of EU satellite and space infrastructure. --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()