Brussels, 02/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - To support the transition to a low-carbon economy, the world's largest power grid operators have signed up to a common vision on smart grids.
The 14 members of the Very Large Power Grid Operators (VLPGO) carry more than 70% of global electricity demand and provide electricity to 3 billion consumers. At their annual meeting on Wednesday 2 November, their chief executives signed a joint statement committing them to a common vision on the development of smart grids, needed if electricity from renewable sources is to feed into current grids and to better manage electricity flows. They also committed themselves to investing some $700 billion in power grid development in the next 10 years. This investment will have to be guaranteed by regulatory authorities in all the countries involved to provide for a long-term, stable and reliable framework.
In addition to the major European power grid operators - RTE of France, the UK National Grid, Terna of Italy, REE of Spain and Elia of Belgium - the VLPGO comprises US operators Miso and PJM, KPX of South Korea, ONS of Brazil, PGCIL of India, SGCC of China, SO UPS of Russia, Tepco of Japan and Eskom of South Africa. (EH/transl.rt)