Connecting renewable energy to the power system needs grid infrastructure, both at transmission and distribution levels, including overhead lines, underground and submarine cables and power substations. Despite the obvious, this fact has been widely overlooked in several regions. Urgent actions must be taken to avoid lagging grid infrastructures, which would delay the energy transition.
The tripling renewable power capacity target by 2030 makes planning and investing in grid development even more urgent. Unlike concentrated generation based on fossil fuel or large hydro power plants, wind and solar generators are distributed along extensive areas and multiple locations. This requires expanding the grid to allow them to connect and to deliver the power in quantities needed, where and when it is needed. The reliable and accessible electricity supply to meet increased power demands required by electrification of transport, heating and cooling, and industry, together with the surge of the information technology electricity needs, will be based on grid infrastructure.
However, deploying grid infrastructure is not done overnight. Due to its nature, power lines need to consider social and environmental impact across big areas, along all their routes, involving lengthy planning and permitting processes and engaging multiple stakeholders, which consume a lot of time, potentially delaying deployment. Together with streamlining these processes, anticipatory investments can compensate these time needs and are essential to unlock grid expansion and prevent future bottlenecks.
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