The European Commission has launched a roadmap to accelerate the use of AI and digital technologies across the EU energy sector
The plan includes faster deployment of smart grids and smart meters, secure European AI models, and better integration of data centers with clean energy
The roadmap also focuses on reducing cybersecurity risks in critical energy infrastructure, including solar and wind power systems
In an effort to make the European Union’s (EU) energy system smarter, cheaper, and more secure, the European Commission has unveiled the Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in the Energy Sector as part of its European Technological Sovereignty Package.
As the title suggests, it plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and autonomy of the EU’s energy sector. The move is important, it underlines, especially since the world is dealing with rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainties are placing pressure on industrial competitiveness and the purchasing power of businesses and households.
With growing electrification, digitalization, and connectivity, the EU’s energy system is becoming vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, especially in wind and solar (see Europe’s Dangerous Dependence on Chinese Clean Technology).
“Solar and wind power generation infrastructures have emerged as a priority cybersecurity concern within these categories, with high risks that include the manipulation or prevention of electricity production, unauthorized access to operational data, the infiltration of key supply chain actors and the possibility to trigger remote blackouts,” reads the roadmap.
“Tech sovereignty in the energy sector is therefore more urgent than ever as it means strengthening the autonomy of the EU’s energy sector while protecting it from vulnerabilities,” according to the Commission, which highlights the growing use of digitalization in solar and wind energy systems in this context.
The Commission said strengthening technological sovereignty in energy will help the EU reduce reliance on external technologies, improve system reliability, and better protect energy infrastructure from emerging risks.
The roadmap, therefore, outlines measures to accelerate the adoption of digital tools and AI across the energy value chain while supporting innovation and technological leadership within the bloc.
Among the action points as listed by the Commission are accelerated deployment of digital and AI solutions in Europe, faster roll-out of smart meters to give more control to consumers over their energy use and lower their energy bills, building sovereign and secure AI models developed by European companies, and integrating data centers with clean energy supplies.
It says these measures are intended to help lower energy costs, improve grid efficiency, and strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Dries Acke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe, welcomed the roadmap, saying that developing secure and sovereign AI solutions will be key to maintaining Europe’s resilience.
“The Strategic Roadmap provides an important framework to ensure digital innovation delivers tangible benefits for consumers, businesses and the wider energy system. Success will now depend on turning ambition into deployment, especially accelerating the rollout of smart grids and smart meters, and increasing cross-sector coordination,” stressed Acke.
He added, “Strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding critical infrastructure across the whole energy system must remain central as digitalisation comes with exposure to hybrid and cyber threats.”
The proposed roadmap requires approval from the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union before it can be implemented. The Commission said it plans to launch a call for AI Gigafactories in July 2026.