­inform an implementation report on the perfor­mance of the TEN-E Regulation since its revision in 2022. This call for evidence points to several problems with energy grids across the EU: a sig­nificant gap between needs and projects to ad­dress them, the slow pace of implementation of renewable energy projects, and security problems relating to cross-border infrastructure. 41 Still, this structure could serve as a model for the CCT, or a potential structure to tap into. Combin­ing three levels of governance(regional and na­tional energy infrastructure needs, and priorities with EU-level coordination) helps to ensure that local needs are met while also ensuring pan-EU cooperation, which increases overall delivery effi­ciency by connecting networks across borders. ­Including stakeholder input in the process also makes sure people are supportive of the decisions being made by their governments. As industries across Europe will need to develop, expand or make use of existing energy infrastructure and networks, tapping into the TEN-E governance process could also enhance synergies between the energy needs of industries and of regions. IPCEIs Since 2018, the European Union has fostered the development of large-scale, collaborative cross-­border projects known as Important Projects of Common European Interest(IPCEIs). Through this mechanism, EU Member States come together to finance transnational Research and Development and Innovation(R&D&I) projects in sectors strate­gic to Europe’s future to promote breakthrough innovation. This coordination mechanism specifi­cally finances projects that need support to over­come market failures, which prevent advanced technology projects from being taken forward at national or company level because of their high costs and/or risk. This means that to access funding, beneficiaries have to demonstrate their ‘funding gap’. IPCEIs are now one of the main tools for EU industrial coordination. For example, as of January 2024, of the 60 existing hydrogen, battery, microelectronics and connectivity sites in France, more than half were funded through an IPCEI. 42 Additionally, IPCEIs promote convergence of legal, regulatory and market practices across Member States(e. g., licenses, environmental standards), supporting long-term coordination conditions, and improving the implementation of the Single Market. 43 Member States and the European Commission coordinate on IPCEIs through the Joint European Forum on IPCEIs(JEF-IPCEI). There, they define the next strategic priorities and coordinate the design, assessment, implementation and evalua­tion of existing projects. The whole process–from the creation of the initiative by Member States to launching an evaluation and open call for compa­nies, and finally securing European Commission approval and signing financing agreements–takes between 12 and 24 months. By collaborating on the design of these projects, Member States stay informed and involved, which can help avoid both duplication and conflicting effects. The CCT can build on this experience of industrial coordination based on a multilevel governance framework. In each IPCEI, at least four Member States and dozens of companies collaborate to develop projects across key value chains: batteries, cloud and edge computing, health, hydrogen and mi­croelectronics. 44 Through the JEF-IPCEI, Member States set common priorities, but participation remains voluntary and based on the national 41  European Commission.(2025). Call for evidence for an impact assessment for the European grid package(Ares(2025)3806419). Have your say portal. https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14672-European-grid-package_en. 42  Seux, J.& Spyratos, C.(2024). Important Projects of Common European Interest, a European industrial policy tool. Ministère de l’économie, des finances, et de la souveraineté industrielle et numérique. French government. https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/files/files/Publications/2024/ themas/­2024-themas-dge-n17-piiec-eng.pdf. 43  Haddaoui, N.(2025, July 17). IPCEI: The EU’s Strategic Compass for Industrial Competitiveness and Resilience. European Economics. Retrieved on October 31, 2025, from https://www.europeaneconomics.com/en/­ipcei-the-eus-strategic-compass-for-industrial-competitiveness-and-­resilience/. 44  European Commission.(n.d.). Background information for Important Projects of Common European Interest(IPCEI). Competition Policy. ­Retrieved on October 31, 2025 from https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/state-aid/ipcei/background-information_en. Learnings from other mechanisms 15