Most European countries expect higher investments in their grid infrastructure through 2030 after more than doubling annual investments since 2019, the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) said in a report on Friday.
A total of 22 out of 24 countries reviewed in the report raised annual investments in grids last year compared to 2019, with a 155% increase on average, ACER said in its Monitoring Report, Energy infrastructure development in Europe 2026.
The highest growth in grid investments was seen in Germany, Greece, and Sweden, at 505%, 327%, and 310%, respectively, the analysis has found.
Annual investment in 2025 fell from 2019 levels only in Luxembourg and Norway.
“When looking ahead, a similar trend is observed; 15 out of 18 countries (83%) estimate higher investment in 2030 than in 2025 (on average by 134%),” ACER said in the report.
The Netherlands expects the largest increase, with investment expected to surge nearly fivefold compared to its 2025 level. Estonia, Latvia, and Cyprus are the only EU member states projecting a decrease.
Still, ACER noted that these estimates “should be assessed with caution, considering the repeated delays to and rescheduling of transmission projects.”
Despite weakening industrial activity and high energy costs, European electricity demand is bucking years of flailing power consumption.
This rise of renewable energy is placing a strain on Europe’s grids, which need a lot of investment to be able to incorporate soaring solar and wind output. That’s a pressing problem for the EU and the UK, with trillions of dollars needed to make the grids of the past suitable for future power generation and demand.
The European Commission has estimated that $2.25 trillion (2 trillion euros) to $2.6 trillion (2.3 trillion euros) is required to meet grid needs until 2050, a review of the EU’s electricity grids by the European Court of Auditors showed last year.
By the end of the decade, the EU would need $656 billion (584 billion euros) in investments as 40% of its distribution grids are over 40 years old, and cross-border transmission capacity is set to double by 2030, the Commission says.
By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com
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