At least 120GW of clean energy projects planned in Europe by 2030 are at risk due to grid constraints, according to new analysis from Ember.
The biggest squeeze on available connections and transmission capacity is in Austria, Bulgaria, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia, Ember said.
The shortfall means an estimated 1.5 million households across the continent face connection delays for rooftop solar, according to the analysis.
The energy think tank added that “swift action” is needed to unblock this barrier if Europe is to meets its goals of increased global competitiveness and energy security.
“Grids will determine the success of Europe’s mission to wean itself off imported fuels and expand its industrial base,” said Ember senior energy analyst Elisabeth Cremona.
“Grid readiness is now an indicator of economic readiness, not a technical afterthought.
“Ambitions alone cannot move electrons.”
Ember said EU-level policy had begun to address some of the challenges via the 2023 Grid Action Plan and the 2025 European Grid Package.
It stressed, however, that delivery was ultimately up to individual countries, regulators and grid operators.