CESEC Adds Czechia and Poland as EU Seeks to Double Electrification to 46%

The European Commission and ministers of the Central and South-East European Energy Connectivity high-level group met in Zagreb on 6 November 2026. Cross-border energy infrastructure was on the agenda, as were electrification and high energy prices. The group officially welcomed Czechia and Poland as new members. The Commission said the expanded membership is intended to strengthen electricity interconnections and to diversify energy supplies in the region.

The Commission's Electrification Action Plan, published in July, points to the need to increase the share of energy from an electrified energy system from 23% today to 46% by 2040. By our calculation, that 2040 share is double the figure given for today.

Discussions covered the way the gas market functions and the need to use existing electricity infrastructure more efficiently, including additional cross-border electricity connections, so that consumers are less exposed to volatile electricity prices.

CESEC was set up in 2015 to develop the cross-border infrastructure needed to diversify gas supplies and strengthen security of supply. In 2017 its scope was expanded to include electricity and renewable energy. The group now includes 11 EU member states. Eight Energy Community contracting parties are also members.

The Commission renewed the mandate of its CESEC Coordinator to promote interconnectivity and the functioning of Central and South-East European energy markets after the Zagreb meeting on 6 November 2026.