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ExplainerGrid Transition
The three real bottlenecks in Europe's grid transition
by Dr. Elena Morales · 5/1/2026 · 1 view
Permitting, interconnection queues, and storage — not generation — are the binding constraints.
Most coverage of the energy transition focuses on how much solar and wind we can build. In practice, generation is rarely the bottleneck.
1. Permitting timelines for transmission lines routinely exceed build times for the renewables they connect.
2. Interconnection queues have ballooned, with multi-year waits in several markets.
3. Storage and flexibility are under-procured relative to the variability we're adding.
Policy that compresses permitting and reforms queue management will move the needle far more than additional generation subsidies.
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