The deceleration in investment in electrical grids puts climate objectives at risk – International Energy Agency

Stalled spending on electrical grids is hindering the deployment of renewable energy technologies and could jeopardize efforts to combat climate change, warns the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The Paris-based organization’s report reveals that the capacity to connect to and transmit electricity is not keeping pace with the rapid growth of clean energy technologies, such as wind and solar power, electric cars, and heat pumps.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol states that there is a long line of renewable energy projects waiting for the green light, which could generate 1,500 gigawatts of power.

However, if spending on grids remains stagnant, the chance of holding the global increase in average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will be diminished substantially.

The IEA recommends adding or refurbishing 80 million kilometers of power lines by 2040, which would require annual investment to double to more than $600 billion a year by 2030.

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