European Power Systems Face Import Limitations

European Power Systems Face Import Limitations

According to research by leading energy think tanks, more than half of Europe’s power system currently lacks robust options for importing electricity during times of domestic shortages. This structural vulnerability increases the risk of blackouts and hampers the sharing of renewable energy across national borders, particularly during periods when wind or solar generation dips below demand. The slow roll-out of new interconnectors and bottlenecks in national grids are primary contributors to these limitations.

Infrastructure Deficits and Regional Bottlenecks

The latest policy studies highlight how regional connectivity shortfalls remain stubbornly high, despite decades of EU integration efforts. EU law requires at least 70% of each member state's transmission capacity to be available for cross-border trade by the end of 2025, yet many countries—most notably Germany—still fall short, with actual availability ranging from just 20% to 50% in some years. Grid bottlenecks result not only from technical limitations, but also from administrative and regulatory inertia, slowing down critical investments and project rollouts.

Consequences for Renewables Integration

Limited import capabilities have a direct effect on the continent’s ability to benefit from booming solar and wind generation. Poor connectivity leads to situations where surplus renewable energy must be curtailed or even wasted in one region, while others struggle with high prices and undersupply. This inefficiency prevents renewables from playing their full role in stabilising markets, lowering costs, and delivering affordable, green electricity to households and businesses.

Europe’s Dependency on Energy Imports

Despite the potential for greater self-sufficiency through renewables, the EU still depended on imports for 58% of its energy in 2023, with rates as high as 98% in certain member states. This dependency makes the bloc vulnerable to supply shocks, such as those witnessed during the recent gas crisis. Improved cross-border electricity trading is seen as a vital measure to curtail this risky reliance on external energy providers.

Political and Regulatory Hurdles

Grid integration in Europe is complicated by political, economic, and technical factors. National authorities are often reluctant to make energy security contingent on the decisions of neighbouring grid operators. Complicated regulatory frameworks and different market rules between countries slow progress toward harmonised, resilient cross-border electricity trade. Coordinated planning, regulatory oversight, and investment incentives are needed to bridge these divides.

Solutions: Grid Expansion and Distributed Generation

To address these shortcomings, experts call for a third more interconnectors to be in place by 2030, and a near doubling of cross-border transmission capacity by 2040. Upgrading national grids, modernising infrastructure, and integrating digitalised, decentralised resources such as rooftop solar PV and battery storage are equally important. Solar PV systems, in particular, empower local energy independence, reduce overall grid stress, and allow consumers greater resilience during supply disruptions.

The Role of Atlantic Renewables in a Resilient Grid

As Europe strives to overcome these grid challenges, Atlantic Renewables stands ready to help homes, businesses, and entire communities take greater control over their electricity needs. Our advanced solar PV and battery solutions enable both individual consumers and larger organisations to boost their self-consumption, support national grid stability, and actively participate in the continent’s clean energy transition.

Get in touch

If grid limitations and rising energy insecurity are a concern, Atlantic Renewables' engineers can design a solar and battery solution that ensures your energy resilience. Contact our team at 0161 207 4044 to take the first step towards a more secure, affordable, and low-carbon future.