3,000 GW in limbo as the grid struggles to keep up
Over 3,000 GW of renewable energy is stuck in grid connection queues due to outdated infrastructure, delaying the transition to a clean energy future.
Image for illustration purposes
The world’s transition to clean energy is being stalled—not by a lack of renewables, but by an outdated electrical grid. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 3,000 GW of renewable energy is stuck in grid connection queues, over five times the amount of wind and solar added in 2022.
The problem? A transmission and distribution grid built for a fossil fuel-based system. For over a century, electricity grids operated on a unidirectional model, where power flowed from centralised plants to consumers. Today, energy comes from all directions—from offshore wind farms to rooftop solar panels—creating congestion on legacy systems that weren’t designed for distributed energy resources (DERs).
In Great Britain, renewable projects now face grid connection delays until 2030. A Cornwall Insight poll found that 75 % of experts see this as the biggest barrier to renewable integration.
To meet rising electricity demand and decarbonization goals, utilities must double grid investment, yet global spending remains stagnant at $300 B per year. The IEA warns that failing to modernise could increase fossil fuel use, adding 58 Gt of CO₂ by 2050.
HVDC technology is helping relieve congestion, with a 2 GW system connecting North Sea wind farms to the Netherlands and Germany. The UK is also building an HVDC superhighway to transmit renewable power.
Beyond infrastructure, digitising the grid is crucial. AI-driven systems like GE Vernova’s GridOS can optimise energy flow, boost efficiency, and enhance cybersecurity. The IEA estimates smart grids could cut renewable curtailment by 25 % by 2030.
With growing energy demand from AI data centres and electrification, the grid is at a breaking point. Upgrading transmission is no longer optional—it is essential for the clean energy transition.
Source: T&D World
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