In recent years, there has been a growing penetration of generation from renewable energy sources in numerous countries around the world. Looking to Europe, this trend, spurred by the decarbonization targets set by the European Union for 2020, 2030 and beyond, will require careful planning and extensive investments in electricity systems and grids.

After an overview of the main past and ongoing continental studies, in particular of European and neighboring regions, it aims to contribute to the analyses of the development of the future electricity transmission system in Europe. Attention was focused on certain specific long-term analyses (2040) which include HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) and HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmission infrastructures in a pan-European perspective. The studies were conducted by extending a pan-European zonal model eastwards, including the Caucasus region and Kazakhstan through interconnection with the European system. An optimization tool was applied after preparing an adequate framework for long-term scenarios (2040) for the overall system under study. Certain crucial effects were assessed concerning the extension of the geographical coverage of the pan-European zonal model. This article also outlines the path to contribute further to the goal of optimizing the development of the pan-European system over a long-term time horizon. This evolution can be considered as a crucial step in the development of the northern part of a potential global electricity grid.