The European Commission published its Grids Action Plan.
The blueprint presents seven horizontal challenges, and 14 actions for accelerating EU grid development in the coming years.
Electricity consumption in the EU is expected to increase by around 60% between now and 2030.
Networks will have to accommodate a more digitalised, decentralised and flexible system with millions of rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and local energy communities sharing their resources, more offshore renewables coming online, an increased number of electric vehicles to charge and growing hydrogen production needs.
With 40% of the EU’s distribution grids more than 40 years old and cross-border transmission capacity due to double by 2030, €584bn in investments are necessary.
The Grids Action Plan aims to address the “missing links” of the clean energy transition and the challenges in expanding, digitalising and better using EU electricity transmission and distribution grids.
The actions focus on implementation and swift delivery to make a difference in time for our 2030 objectives.
The first is accelerating the implementation of Projects of Common Interest and developing new projects through political steering, reinforced monitoring and more proposals.
The second is improving the long-term planning of grids to accommodate more renewables and electrified demand, including hydrogen, in the energy network by steering the work of system operators as well as national regulators.
The third is introducing regulatory incentives through guidance on anticipatory, forward-looking investments and on cross-border cost sharing for offshore projects.
The fourth is incentivising a better usage of the grids with enhanced transparency and improved network tariffs for smarter grids, efficiency, and innovative technologies and solutions by supporting the cooperation between system operators and recommendations by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
The fifth is improving access to finance for grid projects by increasing visibility on opportunities for EU funding programmes, especially for smart grids and modernisation of distribution networks.
The sixth is stimulating faster permitting for system deployment by providing technical support for authorities and guidance on better engaging stakeholders and communities.
The seventh is improving and securing grid supply chains, including by harmonising industry manufacturing requirements for generation and demand connection.
Head of regulatory affairs at SolarPower Europe Naomi Chevillard said: “The Grids Action Plan is an excellent and necessary initiative from the European Commission.
“We’re glad to see guidance on anticipatory investments, mapping of available grid capacities and digitalisation of grid connection procedures.
“This will help solar project developers efficiently locate their projects and unlock the massive grid queues in the EU.
“In addition, the promotion of common technical requirements for grid connection will support our EU inverters, that currently have to go through 27 standardisation processes to access EU markets.”
RE-Source Platform has welcomed the EU Action Plan for Grids but urges attention to be paid to the needs of corporate renewable energy offtakers.
RE-Source, the European forum for corporate renewable energy sourcing, stated that corporates want to play their part in the transition by procuring renewable energy via tools like renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs).
With the Action Plan in place, RE-Source Platform stated it is “important to now shift to swift action to ensure prompt and reliable grid connections”.
Chris Rosslowe, Senior Energy & Climate Data Analyst at Ember, added:“As Europe decarbonises power and electrifies its economy, grids will play an ever more crucial role.
“The Grids Action Plan brings much needed attention on the key challenges, and now member states and industry must collaborate to deliver a connected and flexible system that is fit for the future.”