In a new document, on Thursday 10 July, the industry association Eurelectric examined how electricity distribution network operators could strengthen climate resilience. It presents case studies and six policy recommendations to prepare European networks for the future.
“Over the next few decades, heat waves, floods and storms will become increasingly frequent. (...) That’s why solid emergency coordination and disaster recovery planning are just as important as physical improvements” said Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric.
The association therefore believes that the climate change adaptation plan planned by the European Commission for 2026 should focus on adaptation measures for critical infrastructures.
It also calls on European decision-makers to recognise these adaptation measures in national regulatory frameworks.
Secondly, the document states that the national energy-climate plans should be amended to explicitly introduce a dimension of physical network resilience. This is also the case for the environmental criteria of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) (see EUROPE 13344/4) in the context of public procurement procedures, “which should include an aspect of adaptation to climate change”.
Finally, Eurelectric believes that National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) should be explicitly responsible for adapting electricity infrastructures, and that investment in resilience should be an integral part of Distribution Network Development Plans (DNDPs).
To see the document: https://aeur.eu/f/hul (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)