Ask: Why Is Nobody Talking About the Grid Gap That Threatens EU Energy Independence?
A new report from the European Court of Auditors revealed that only 18 of the 28 planned cross‑border interconnectors are currently operational. This shortfall hampers the EU's push to create a single energy market. It also raises questions about the feasibility of the bloc’s 2030 energy independence target. The audit warns that grid capacity gaps could force member states to rely on Russian gas longer than anticipated.
What Happened
On June 12, 2024, the European Court of Auditors released a detailed audit that scrutinised the EU’s inter‑connector network. It identified 28 key cross‑border links that were supposed to be fully operational by 2025, yet only 18 are now live. The report highlights that Germany’s 1,200 MW NordLink to Norway is operating at just 30 % capacity, and Poland’s planned 800 MW link to Germany remains under construction. In France, the 500 MW link to Spain faces regulatory delays. The audit points out that these deficits amount to a combined shortfall of roughly 1,200 MW of transmission capacity, which could impede the seamless flow of renewable electricity across borders. It also notes that the EU’s target of 35 interconnectors by 2030 is now on shaky ground, with only 12 of the 15 new projects in the pipeline reaching the construction phase. The findings were presented to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, sparking a debate over the region’s energy security strategy.
Why It Matters
The grid gap directly translates to higher electricity prices for households, as national markets struggle to balance supply and demand without cross‑border relief. In Germany, the average residential tariff rose by 3.2 % last year, partially attributed to limited interconnector use.
The shortfall also hinders the integration of renewable energy. Italy’s solar output, for instance, often peaks during times when the domestic grid is saturated, forcing curtailment. A stronger inter‑connector network would allow excess solar and wind to be exported to surplus markets, reducing waste.
Furthermore, the reliance on Russian gas is likely to persist. With weak grid links, countries cannot easily shift to alternative supplies, making them vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. This scenario could undermine the EU’s climate goals, as the bloc may need to revert to fossil fuels during supply crunches.
Finally, the audit underscores a systemic risk: the lack of robust infrastructure could trigger cascading failures, especially during peak demand periods in winter. Such outages would strain emergency services and industrial production, with broader economic repercussions.
“"If we do not address the inter‑connector deficits now, the EU risks falling back on external suppliers for essential energy," said Maria Nunes, spokesperson for the European Court of Auditors, during the audit’s press briefing.”
What We Don’t Know Yet
While the audit lists concrete capacity gaps, it does not detail the specific technical reasons behind each delay. For example, the reasons for the 800 MW link’s construction lag in Poland remain unclear—whether it is due to funding shortages, land‑use disputes, or technical challenges. The audit also omits a comprehensive cost‑benefit analysis of retrofitting existing lines versus building new ones, leaving policymakers without a clear financial roadmap.
Another uncertainty lies in the projected demand growth for 2025‑2030. The report assumes a 2 % annual increase, but recent data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO‑E) suggest that demand could rise faster in countries with
Despite the EU’s record‑high renewable output, about 30 % of existing interconnector capacity sits idle because national regulators still treat cross‑border electricity as a domestic commodity, limiting market access.
