A new study by think tank Ember reveals that more than half of Europe’s power grid remains vulnerable to large-scale outages, highlighting the critical role of interconnectors in stabilizing the energy system. Case studies from Poland show how cross-border links supplied emergency power during disruptions that otherwise could have triggered blackouts. Similarly, during the April 2025 outage that left 60 million people in Spain and Portugal without electricity, interconnectors were essential in restarting the grid within hours.
Beyond technical resilience, interconnectors have proven vital in times of geopolitical conflict. They enabled Ukraine to import over 800 GWh monthly during heavy attacks in 2024 and supported the Baltic states’ disconnection from Russia in February 2025. However, growing cyberattacks and sabotage underscore the need for stronger security measures, as seen in the damage to the EstLink 2 cable. With interconnection capacity expected to nearly triple by 2040, experts stress that investment in both new infrastructure and security protections is essential for Europe’s energy independence and climate goals.
Link:
https://ioplus.nl/en/posts/why-interconnectors-are-essential-for-european-energy-security