EU renewable hybridisation could add 25 GW without new grid capacity

A new Ember analysis shows that Europe can integrate up to 25 GW of wind and solar capacity by coupling these projects with existing hydropower plants in seven EU countries – Austria, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain. This “hybridisation” uses the same grid connection point as the hydro plant, allowing developers to come online faster and doubling the average utilisation of the existing grid infrastructure. The approach could deliver roughly 18 % of the renewables expected by 2030 without building additional transmission capacity. Romania, for example, could cover about 1.8 GW of a planned 10.4 GW, while Austria could accommodate 5.2 GW of 6.8 GW. Only Portugal and Spain currently have specific regulatory frameworks for hybrid projects; the other countries lack clear rules. Ember argues the solution avoids waste of clean energy caused by an outdated grid and reduces the need for costly new grid investments. "By adding wind or solar at the same connection point as a hydropower plant, developers can get online faster and operators can use grid infrastructure more efficiently – on average doubling utilisation," said Elisabeth Cremona, Ember’s energy‑infrastructures lead.