The new European climate target adopted by the European Council today in Brussels will be a challenging test
TenneT to accelerate the energy transition. (Credit: Pexels from Pixabay.)
The new reduction target of 55 percent by 2030 of the European Union is very ambitious. It will require a multitude of very concrete and ambitious actions on all levels to create the chance to fulfill it”, van Beek commented the Council decision. “European institutions, national governments, electricity producers and consumers as well as infrastructure companies like ours will have to step up their cooperation drastically and invent new ways of promoting progress. As emission cuts will be linked to national GDP, this will require an extra effort for Germany and the Netherlands, both member states where TenneT operates.”
“To significantly step up the European emission reduction target significantly will be a monumental task in view of the a nine-year timeframe. For energy infrastructure planning, 2030 is already tomorrow. We are actually already planning the grid for 2035 and the years after”, van Beek highlighted the urgency: “We can’t wait until the new ambitions have been translated into legal text in Brussels and in national capitals before we go to action. It is clear that we have no time to lose. We have to act now.”
TenneT is running the high-voltage grids in the Netherlands and in large parts of Germany. As a Transmission Grid Operator, TenneT is one of the largest investors in the European energy transition with an investment volume of more than 40 billion Euros until 2030 to connect offshore wind parks to the shore and to reinforce the onshore grid.
As electricity in Europe decarbonizes, the power sector is also the key enabler to decarbonize other sectors. Increased CO2 targets will therefore translate in a higher share of renewable electricity. The European Commission estimates the share of renewable electricity in the EU over 65 percent. “Within less than a decade the electrical system shall be switched from a widely fossil generation based system to a system that relies on wind, sun and other renewable energies”, van Beek stated.
“Moreover, the successful integration of such high amounts of offshore wind cannot take place without considering the development of (industrial) electricity demand. Many sectors of the economy should shift from fossil fuels to using electricity for heat, transport or industrial purposes. Industrial demand for green electricity is too far behind right now. Only if supply and demand are coupled, the electricity generated offshore can be integrated successfully to help decarbonize Europe’s economy.” van Beek cautioned.
TenneT aims to deliver a low-carbon reliable energy system at affordable cost. “We have to keep an eye on the future of the entire energy system in developing more renewable electricity sources. Our main focus should be on increased efficiency. Next to that, greater electrification of mobility, heat and industry looks promising at higher shares of renewable electricity, as we believe we should use the generated electricity directly whenever possible. Hydrogen can also be a part of the solution whenever this is not possible.”
Regarding offshore wind power, TenneT sees a large potential for an increased use of the transmission infrastructure. The cables of so-called hybrid projects can be used to connect offshore wind farms with the shore, while also enabling international electricity trading through connections to several countries. “However, such international projects come with a much higher regulatory complexity. We must ensure that this additional complexity does not hinder the progress of such projects. Everybody including the European Commission should be interested in a package that works for all investors”, van Beek said. “We need a clear and consistent framework for everybody, also for offshore wind park investors. And my impression is that here there is still a way to go. And we will have to expedite cooperation in this field. We do not have years to sort this out.”
With its partners, TenneT is working on a first international offshore wind power hub in the North Sea, which has received financial support by the EC through its Connecting Europe Facility. This innovative cross-border twelve GW hub is planned to connect two GW to Denmark, four GW to the Netherlands and six GW to Germany by 2035.
Source: Company Press Release