Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are encountering a growing challenge in sourcing essential equipment and key components, driven by factors like strained supply chains, manufacturing shortages or cross-sector competition for certain components. Action Point 13 of the Grid Action Plan (2023/757/EC) acknowledges this challenge and calls on the supply industry and System Operators to help address it by supporting standardisation efforts, developing common practices and enhancing the visibility into product pipelines of grid operators.
Given its magnitude and manifoldness, the challenge cannot be solved by actions of grid operators and suppliers alone. To this end, fostering stronger cooperation among DSOs, suppliers, policymakers, and other key stakeholders is crucial: effective collaboration can help overcome technical and logistical barriers. In many countries, DSOs and their national associations have been taking proactive measures to mitigate these technical and logistic hurdles, including the adoption of good practices to streamline certification processes, simplify procurement procedures for suppliers and participate in joint procurement activities. Also, more recent publications such as the Clean Industrial Deal (2025/85/EC) or the Action Plan on affordable energy (2025/79/EC) addressed the supply chain challenges for grids and announced measures that aim to increase production capacity within the EU. The revision of the EU public procurement framework, announced for 2026, will also be a strategic file to ensure a resilient and smooth supply chain. to increase production capacity within the EU. The revision of the EU public procurement framework, announced for 2026, will also be a strategic file to ensure a resilient and smooth supply chain.
By strengthening these collaborative efforts, stakeholders can better align their activities and resources, creating a more resilient and adaptive supply chain.
This DSO Entity and E.DSO joint paper shares insights from two surveys conducted among the respective members on the topic of supply chains, shedding light on the current challenges, informing about projections of future DSO equipment needs, sharing good practices and providing a foundation for improving cooperation in addressing these supply chain issues.
