TenneT investing in European high-voltage grid of the future

13-04-2010 As Europe’s first cross-border electricity transmission operator, TenneT supports the findings of the European Climate Foundation, which conclude that the transition to a sustainable energy system requires major investments in the high-voltage grid. TenneT has already begun making substantial investments in its grid. Over the next five to seven years, approx. 3 billion euro will be spent on upgrading and expanding the Dutch high-voltage grid.

Internationalisation
Internationalising the electricity market not only requires a strong transmission grid in the Netherlands, but also in the rest of Europe. As TenneT has recently joined forces with the German grid operator transpower, it can take the lead in this area. The company is therefore also investing approx. 3 billion euro in transpower’s German high-voltage grid. The investments in both countries are for new high-voltage connections in the national electricity grid, as well as cross-border interconnections and cable links, e.g. with the United Kingdom and Denmark. All these links will help increase the capacity available for electricity transmission in Europe. The infrastructure currently being developed will ensure that the sustainable energy produced can be distributed throughout Europe.

Investment
A review of the prevailing regulatory framework is necessary to ensure a solid grid infrastructure, both now and in the future.The existing regulatory framework is aimed at efficiency. However, current developments also require a focus on the grid investments needed for the future. TenneT is currently in talks with the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) on this matter.