Deadline Date: March 31, 2026
The European Commission (EC) is now accepting grant applications to strengthen electricity grids and accelerate the integration of renewable energy, in line with its ambitious climate and energy goals.
Projects under this initiative are expected to enhance the preparedness of electricity systems to support the EU’s binding target of at least 42.5% renewables in gross final energy consumption by 2030, with the aspiration to reach 45%, while advancing full decarbonisation by 2050.
Funding for these Horizon Innovation Actions is substantial, with an overall budget of €20,000,000 under the HORIZON-IA Horizon Innovation Actions framework. This funding is expected to support multiple projects, with individual project budgets of around €10,000,000, contributing to a sustainable, secure, and decarbonised energy future for Europe.
Selected projects will focus on improving the resilience and flexibility of electricity grids, enabling them to manage high shares of variable renewable energy systems efficiently. Transmission system operators (TSOs) and distribution system operators (DSOs) are expected to develop and implement modern procedures to maintain grid stability and secure operation, while seamlessly integrating power electronics-interfaced devices (PEIDs) into modern grids.
The scope of eligible projects includes developing new knowledge on synthetic inertia, frequency control, fast voltage support, and the system stability benefits of grid-forming inverters (GFIs). Applicants are encouraged to create innovative grid control solutions and demonstrate their capabilities across both transmission- and distribution-level grids, including residential, commercial, and large renewable energy generator applications. Projects should take a system-wide approach, promote interoperability between different GFI solutions, and leverage advanced tools such as digital twins, artificial intelligence, and open-source software.
Each project is expected to include at least one TSO, two DSOs, a GFI technology provider, a renewable energy producer, and a research institution or university. Collaboration with additional stakeholders—such as GFI suppliers, grid-scale battery storage operators, and aggregators managing distributed energy resources—is strongly encouraged. Demonstrations, testing, and validation activities must be conducted in at least two pilots across different EU Member States or Associated Countries, addressing diverse solutions and geographical contexts.
The projects will contribute to the EU’s Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) and the BRIDGE initiative, supporting the digital and green transition while ensuring a more resilient, secure, and competitive energy system. Expected impacts include broader deployment of renewable energy technologies, enhanced energy security, increased grid flexibility, and improved integration of distributed energy resources. Projects should also consider social and environmental sustainability, promoting consumer engagement, fair access to energy, and new employment and upskilling opportunities.
In addition to energy systems, the initiative supports research and deployment of carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) technologies and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions to accelerate emission reductions in electricity generation and industrial applications.
For more information, visit European Commission.
