Many European Power Grids Face The Risk Of 55% Import Restrictions

 

Many European power grids face the risk of 55% import restrictions, and the rapid deployment of solar and energy storage is a key response mechanism.

 

According to Ember's recently released report, "A New Line of Defense: How Interconnections Can Secure Power Supply," Europe's power grid is significantly vulnerable. The report states that power interconnection is a key component of Europe's energy security, but 55% of the power system has limited import options, making it vulnerable. The most vulnerable countries include Ireland, Finland, and Spain. The report uses the example of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. By May 2024, approximately 70% of Ukraine's thermal power generation capacity would have been seized or damaged, leaving it dependent on 2.4 GW of imported capacity to meet approximately 20% of its peak demand.

 

Furthermore, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania switched from the Russian grid to the European grid in February 2025, enhancing their energy security. Connecting Europe has invested €1.2 billion in decoupling plans and new cross-border interconnectors. However, since 2022, nine incidents of infrastructure damage have been reported in the Baltic region, making interconnection a priority. Report author Chizak stated that the centralized and outdated grid design is vulnerable to disruptions, while distributed solar and energy storage can enhance resilience. In 2024, Europe's new solar capacity reached a record 65.1 GW, but is expected to decline slightly to 64.2 GW in 2025, with cumulative capacity exceeding 400 GW by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, energy storage added 11.9 GW, bringing the total to 89 GW, a 35% year-on-year increase, providing grid-connecting services.

 

In the long term, grid modernization will require significant time and investment. The International Energy Agency estimates that Europe's annual grid spending will exceed $70 billion, while global power generation investment is insufficient. The European Investment Bank plans to finance €100 billion for grid infrastructure. Chizak emphasized that interconnection construction will take up to a decade and needs to begin as soon as possible. Despite obstacles, Europe has reached a consensus on the need for grid reform, and solar and energy storage have become the mainstream approach due to their cost-effectiveness and low geopolitical risks.