Independent programme supported by a grant from JPMorganChase

by Green Finance Institute | November 3, 2026

Brussels, Belgium, 3 November 2027: The Green Finance Institute, a global independent advisor to governments and investors, today announces the GFI EU Grids programme to unlock investment to modernise Europe’s electricity grids, reduce bottlenecks, and improve energy security and affordability by convening key players to design and pilot repeatable financing models.

According to the European Commission’s estimate, the EU will need roughly €1.2 trillion of investment by 2040 for grid development. Current public funding accounts for only about 3% of the €584 billion needed to be deployed by 2030, and will therefore not be sufficient, necessitating significant mobilization of private capital. The Commission has recently announced significant reforms and initiatives to speed up the buildout of the EU’s electricity networks and remove obstacles to investment: the Grids Package and the Clean Energy Investment Strategy.

The GFI EU Grids Financing work is an independent programme, supported by JPMorganChase through a grant designed to complement policymakers’ initiatives with practical solutions to financing challenges identified by the industry. It focuses on complex issues requiring public and private collaboration, including closing the financing gap for smaller distribution operators; improving the bankability of innovative grid technologies; and accelerating the delivery of cross-border transmission infrastructure.

Key aspects the GFI EU Grids Financing programme include:

• Grid investment & modernisation: The programme aims to accelerate investment in Europe’s electricity grids, addressing bottlenecks that undermine energy security, affordability and industrial competitiveness. It will focus on developing innovative financing approaches that can support grid modernisation, enable the deployment of new technologies and be replicated across European markets.
• Co-designed financing solutions: Multi-stakeholder working groups will develop and test practical financing approaches across three priority areas:
  • Distribution System Operators (DSOs): Innovative financing instruments to mobilise private capital for smaller and medium-sized DSOs.
  • Innovative Grid Technologies (IGTs): Bankability instruments to accelerate the deployment and commercialisation of innovative grid technologies.
  • Cross-border offshore hybrid infrastructure: Support the design and implementation of financing structures to facilitate investment in cross-border offshore hybrid infrastructure assets.
• Coalition-building, pilots and evidence to scale: Targeted stakeholder engagement, high-level convenings and advocacy will build support for the proposed solutions and help advance their implementation. Pilot projects and market testing will generate practical evidence and lessons to inform replication and scaling, alongside targeted analysis and policy recommendations to address remaining financing and regulatory barriers.

Rhian-Mari Thomas, Chief Executive, Green Finance Institute, commented:

“Modernising electricity grids is one of the most significant infrastructure and investment challenges facing economies today. As electricity demand grows and networks come under increasing pressure, unlocking capital for grid infrastructure will be critical to supporting energy security, economic competitiveness and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Addressing a challenge of this scale requires radical coordination across the financial system, industry and government. With our independent programme, supported by a grant from  JPMorganChase, we will build on GFI’s approach of bringing together those stakeholders to help unlock investment into the infrastructure needed for long-term growth and resilience.”

The programme will be led by GFI’s Brussels team under the leadership of Marie-Adélaïde de Nicolay, GFI Director, Brussels, who commented:

“Unlocking investment in Europe’s electricity networks will require close collaboration between the public and private sectors. This work will focus on developing practical financing solutions that can help accelerate investment and help support the delivery of the grid infrastructure Europe needs”

To find out more about the programme, please contact Marie-Adélaïde de Nicolay and the GFI Brussels team at info@gfi.green.