The report “Crossed wires: Grid capacity could block EU energy security” published by EMBER summarises that Europe’s energy security depends on reducing imported fossil fuel reliance through electrification and rapid expansion of homegrown renewable power. Meanwhile, Europe’s competitiveness relies on connecting new industrial demand. Analysis of available grid capacity shows that grids are not fully prepared for the continent’s ambitions.
● At least 120 GW of planned renewable projects in Europe are at risk due to grid constraints. Half of countries reporting grid data lack the grid capacity needed to connect new power generation. The biggest constraints are in Austria, Bulgaria, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia.
● 1.5 million households could face grid connection delays for rooftop solar. Half of reporting countries have insufficient grid capacity to accommodate the expected growth in small-scale solar.
● Some European grids are ready to support new household electricity demand. At the distribution level, six out of the eight reporting countries have enough grid capacity for up to one-third of households to connect a new heat pump or electric vehicle charger. However, households in Poland and Spain would face major limitations.
● Grid capacity for new industrial demand varies across the EU. Available capacity is sufficient to connect large industrial sites in four out of the seven reporting countries.
● Non-wire solutions can unlock up to 185 GW grid capacity for demand.
Europe needs to take swift action to address grid bottlenecks. This includes reforming administrative processes and deploying non-wire solutions. Implementing such solutions will open space for both new clean power and emerging demand types such as data centres.
Access the report here