Supergrid plans in go-slow

Europe’s highly anticipated electricity Super Grid is struggling to move forward amid political challenges, making the proposed route to a low carbon economy difficult.

The current economic environment, along with some political opposition is to blame for the slowdown in interest for the scheme, according to Climatewire. "Is the Super Grid actually happening? Not yet, I must say. There are many proposals on the table to have interconnectors in Europe between member states, but they are being presented in the same way as in the past from one country to another," says Ana Aguado, CEO of lobbyists Friends of the Super Grid.

"Of course, onshore, this is the case. But when you are in the sea, there are possibilities ... to already make a mass interconnected system like there could be in the North Sea. But proposals are still being made as before, so the Super Grid as we intend it is not happening," she says.

Despite there already being many interconnectors between countries of Europe, the legal complications of the numerous national grids and security of supply, as well as the physical ability of some grids to cope with the power flows, makes the prospect of a grid any time soon improbable.

"There are many legal constraints in place and few signs of them changing. The legislation is very nationalistic, and there is very little incentive for investors to invest," Aguado said. "That has to change. There is no other way to decarbonize the energy sector. But it is step by step and quite slow."

The key for the future of the grid may lay in wind energy, which could connect to a hub in the North Sea and provide energy for the regions nations. Other proposed projects like Desertec looks to use the sun of North Africa as part of a Mediterranean grid. All are struggling for traction and are weighed down by the logistical and political problems associated with a multinational electricity grid.

Unfortunately some country’s public are very much opposed to the thought of a Super Grid, Germany in particular is facing strong public opposition, particularly from the prospect of further pylons and wind farms. The future of the mythical Super Grid remains uncertain.