1. German and Dutch utilities report record finance results for 2023
2. Utilities in Europe are investing heavily in grid infrastructure
3. Despite record investments, more is needed to address grid congestion and customer connection requests
Europe’s power grid system is in need of significant investment due to the increasing pace of interconnected renewables being added. Recent financial results from top utilities in Europe show record levels of investment in grid infrastructure. Germany’s 50Hertz, E.ON, and TenneT are all planning to increase their investments significantly in the coming years, with billions of euros being allocated towards grid expansion and modernization. Despite these record investments, bottlenecks on the power grid are expected to persist in the Netherlands for at least the next decade, indicating that more investment may be needed.
The IEA’s Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions report highlights the need for global investments in power grids to reach $600 million annually by 2030. Grid-related outages in Germany have had significant economic impacts, emphasizing the importance of grid infrastructure in minimizing economic loss. Positive signs can be found in initiatives like the EU Grid Action Plan, which aims to improve access to finance for grid projects and increase visibility on funding opportunities for smart grids and distribution modernization. While more investment and infrastructure are needed to fully enable the energy transition, progress is being made as plans are being pushed into action.