MEPs in the European Parliament are urging a sweeping modernization of Europe’s electricity grids, recognizing them as vital to the clean energy transition, economic growth, and price stability. The current grid infrastructure, designed for centralized fossil-fuel power, is struggling under the weight of growing electricity demand and the rapid expansion of decentralized renewable sources.

Parliamentarians are calling for:

1. Massive investment: Around €584 billion directed toward transmission and distribution networks—including cross-border interconnectors—by 2030 to accommodate a projected 60% increase in electricity consumption and to reduce waste from renewable curtailment.
2. Cross-border coordination: Better collaboration between member states, TSOs, DSOs, and regulators to optimize planning and operations across the continent.
3. Smart distribution networks: Larger emphasis on upgrading lower-voltage regional grids, deploying smart meters, local flexibility markets, and demand response mechanisms.
4. Faster permitting: Streamlined approval processes and strengthened administrative capacity to reduce delays for infrastructure and renewable projects.
5. Energy community participation: Removing barriers that prevent local and citizen-driven renewable projects from connecting to the grid and accessing EU funding.
6. Flexibility strategies: Development of a unified EU framework to support integration of energy storage, hydrogen, and flexible generation—essential for maximizing renewable output and minimizing dispatch-down.
7. Cyber and supply chain resilience: Enhanced protections against cyber-attacks on grid equipment, stronger local manufacturing capabilities for grid components, and strategic stockpiling of essential materials.
8. Workforce preparedness: Scaling up the skilled energy workforce by 50% through training and reskilling to meet expanded grid and renewable deployment needs.
9. Offshore grid integration: Coordinated efforts to integrate offshore wind farms across sea basins, supported by hybrid interconnectors and regulatory frameworks to boost renewable utilization.

Without modernization, half of Europe’s grid lines—which are over 40 years old—will continue to hinder renewables growth, leading to billions in wasted energy and escalating costs. Upgrading the grid is seen not just as a technical necessity but as a strategic priority for energy security, consumer savings, and industrial competitiveness.

Bottom line: Europe’s power networks need a dramatic overhaul—more funding, faster deployment, smarter operations, stronger cybersecurity, and inclusive planning—to ensure clean energy can truly power the continent.

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Source: https://www.smart-energy.com/policy-regulation/eu-parliamentarians-call-for-europes-grids-modernisation/