IEA grid report calls for 80 million kilometres of new power lines

Claimed to be the first global stocktake of its kind, Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions found that grids around the world are failing to keep pace with increasing electrification, as more renewable energy, electric cars and heat pumps are rolled out. In order to stay on track, the IEA claims that grid investment needs to double to more than $600 billion a year by 2030.

According to the report, there is ‘a large and growing queue’ of renewables awaiting grid connection. This includes 1500GW in advanced stages of development which is is five times the total amount of solar and wind capacity added worldwide last year.

“The recent clean energy progress we have seen in many countries is unprecedented and cause for optimism, but it could be put in jeopardy if governments and businesses do not come together to ensure the world’s electricity grids are ready for the new global energy economy that is rapidly emerging,” said Fatih Birol, IEA executive director.