Electrical Commissioning In Industrial Power Systems

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today
Power sector says EU needs 600 new power plants

BRUSSELS - The European Union must build 600 new power stations by 2030 to replace ageing plants and keep up with demand, but the private sector needs more incentives to make the investments, sector body Eurelectric said recently.

Energy liberalisation has pushed wholesale prices below levels that would give firms building new generation capacity a return on their investment, a problem which needs to be addressed by regulatory authorities, the lobby group said.

"We have to show a profit and if we don't get the right incentives we will not invest," said Hans Haider, Eurelectric president and chairman of Austrian utility Verbund.

Haider cited recent estimates from the International Energy Agency that about 290 gigawatts of ageing generating capacity would need to be replaced over the next 30 years and a similar amount of new capacity constructed to meet demand. This would mean 600 new power plants would need to be built, "a tremendous challenge for industry".

The cost, he said, would be between 500 billion and 700 billion euros ($584.1-$817.7 billion) for the power plants, plus 150 billion for transmission and 500 billion for distribution.

Haider said policy makers needed to create an "investment friendly climate" to persuade what are now mostly private, profit-driven utilities to get the work done. The main obstacle he highlighted was the fact that EU competition authorities would not let generating firms sign long-term contracts -- of more than 10 years -- with distribution companies or traders.

SHORTFALL With wholesale prices around 30 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), investors face a shortfall of almost 20 percent as they require a return of around 35 euros per MWh, Haider said.

"I do not think the right way would be subsidies. The right way for an investment friendly climate would be to allow long-term contracts," he added.

Eurelectric, which represents Europe's main electricity generators, does not believe that demand is likely to fall due to improved energy efficiency and cited 1.5 percent as the likely annual increase in EU demand. Green groups, which have successfully campaigned for nuclear phase-outs in many EU countries, including Germany and Italy, say energy policy should be based on demand side management such as ensuring less energy is wasted, and promoting renewables.

Haider said the development of renewables like wind and biomass was insufficient to offset the need for new conventional and nuclear plants. Haider applauded the Italian government's decision, taken in the wake of a nationwide power cut in September, to launch a new programme of generating capacity, a policy which has been attacked by environmentalists.

Related News

Soaring Electricity And Coal Use Are Proving Once Again, Roger Pielke Jr's "Iron Law Of Climate"

Global Electricity Demand Surge underscores rising coal generation, lagging renewables deployment, and escalating emissions, as…
View more

British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

B.C. EV Charging Rebates boost CleanBC incentives as NRCan and ZEVIP funding covers up to…
View more

Alberta ratepayers on the hook for unpaid gas and electricity bills from utility deferral program

Alberta Utility Rate Rider will add a modest fee to electricity bills and natural gas…
View more

New Jersey, New York suspending utility shut-offs amid coronavirus pandemic

NY & NJ Utility Shutoff Moratorium suspends power, heat, and water disconnections amid COVID-19, as…
View more

Turkish powership to generate electricity from LNG in Senegal

Karpowership LNG powership in Senegal will supply 15% of the grid, a 235 MW floating…
View more

California Skirts Blackouts With Heat Wave to Test Grid Again

California Heatwave Power Crisis strains CAISO as record demand triggers emergency alerts, demand response, and…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.