Powering Europe - European Wind Energy Association

Driversandbarriersfornetworkupgrades
There are some barriers related to network upgrades and
extensions, specifically the construction of new lines:
• Long lead times in view of the planning procedures.
Nowadays in many regions in Europe it can take seven
or more years to get from the initial idea for a new
overhead line to its actual implementation, mainly
because of lengthy planning and permitting procedures
influenced by social acceptance problems
• Need for substantial amounts of capital for network
upgrades
• Absence of proper cost allocation mechanisms for
multi-country and multi-user transmission lines
• Planning of grid investments and planning of wind
farms are largely independent processes
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Transmission planning in Europe is at a critical stage.
Crucial political decisions have been taken at European
level in the past five years, including the RES
Directive (2009/28) and the next big step in energy
liberalisation, the Third Package. The most relevant
development in terms of network infrastructure is the
creation of a pan-European association for network operators,
ENTSO-E, as well as the revision of Directives
spelling out the role of network operators and regulators
in a more liberalised market. In this respect, the
TYNDP of the ENTSO-E should be the main tool for
providing a pan-European planning vision for grid infrastructure
in line with long-term EU policy targets for
renewables, including the National Renewable Energy
Action Plans (NREAPs).
Powering Europe: wind energy and the electricity grid