Grids have formed the backbone of electricity systems for more than a century, delivering power to homes, factories, offices and hospitals. And their importance is only growing. The rapid adoption of new technologies such as electric cars and heat pumps means electricity is expanding into realms previously dominated by fossil fuels, increasing the demands on grids. Meanwhile, countries are adding renewable energy projects at a fast pace – requiring more power lines to connect them and high-functioning electricity grids to ensure reliable supplies for end customers.
This new IEA special report, Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions, offers a first-of-its-kind global stocktake of the world’s grids as they stand now. It assesses signs they are not keeping pace with the new global energy economy that is emerging and the risk of them becoming a bottleneck for efforts to accelerate clean energy transitions and ensure electricity security.
The special report examines the urgent upgrades required not only to physical infrastructure but also to the way grids are planned and managed – quantifying the costs of delayed action. And it provides key recommendations for policy makers, highlighting what is necessary in areas such as investment, regulation and planning.