50Hertz operates the electricity transmission grid in northern and eastern Germany and is expanding it in line with demand for the energy transition. Our high-voltage transmission grid has a circuit length of about 10,200 kilometers – that’s the distance from Berlin to Rio de Janeiro. The 50Hertz grid area includes the federal states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia as well as the city states of Berlin and Hamburg. In these regions, 50Hertz with its approximately 1,100 employees ensures the round-the-clock power supply of 18 million people. 50Hertz is a leader in the secure integration of renewable energies: More than half of the electricity consumed in our grid area already comes from renewable generation – and the trend is rising. The shareholders of 50Hertz are the Belgian transmission grid operator Elia (80 percent) and KfW Bankengruppe (KfW banking group) with 20 percent. As a European transmission system operator, 50Hertz is part of the Elia Group and a member of the European association ENTSO-E. 50Hertz is currently planning and implementing a number of transmission line projects to strengthen its grid and to better connect Germany with the electricity grids of neighbouring countries.

Amprion is a German transmission system operator located in the heart of Europe with interconnectors to five European countries and a growing share of renewable production connected to its system. The Amprion grid supplies power to a population of over 27 million with a total circuit length of 11,000 km from Lower Saxony to the Alps. Our network, with voltage levels of 380,000 and 220,000 volts, is accessible to all players in the electricity market. To integrate the forseeable substantial capacity of renewables in Germany we are developing innovative technical solutions to path the way into the energy world of tomorrow.

Bellona Europa was founded back in 1986, aiming to meet and fight the climate challenges, by identifying and implementing sustainable environmental solutions. The NGO works solution-oriented towards reaching a greater ecological understanding, protection of nature, the environment and health. It has a comprehensive and cross-sectoral approach to assess the economics, climate impacts and technical feasibility of necessary climate actions. To do this, it collaborates with civil society, academia, governments, institutions and industries.

Association Biom (BirdLife Croatia) is a civil society organization dedicated to nature conservation, its promotion and popularisation. Biom’s mission is to preserve biodiversity through the implementation of conservation measures for wild species and habitats, with a primary focus on birds. Biom aims to build and nurture strong connections between communities and nature, which the organization sees as a basis for conservation efforts. Biom works on monitoring of electrocution in mortality hotspots and in close cooperation with Croatian energy distributors work on mitigation measures for minimising negative impacts of energy infrastructure on birds.

BirdLife Europe is one of the six Regional-division Secretariats that compose BirdLife International. BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. In Brussels, the BirdLife Europe team works mainly on EU Policy issues and aims at making the EU legislation better, taking into account the environment and biodiversity. It also supports the development of the European and Central Asian Partners.

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 160 member organisations from 35 European countries, representing over 1,700 NGOs and more than 40 million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.

Since 2006, EirGrid, a state-owned company has operated and developed the national high voltage electricity grid in Ireland. EirGrid operates the flow of power on the grid and plans for its future. They also bring energy from generation stations to heavy industry and high-tech users. They supply the distribution network operated by ESB Networks that powers every electricity customer in the country. EirGrid’s task is to deliver a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity – now, and in the future.

Ember is an independent energy think tank that uses data-driven insights to shift the world from coal to clean electricity. Through collecting and analysing data on the global power sector and its impact on climate, they promote a shift towards high-impact policies, empowering other advocates to do the same. Founded in 2008, Ember started as Sandbag – a climate campaign to enable citizens to purchase and remove surplus carbon allowances from the EU Emissions Trading System. Within this process, they noticed that changes in policy would be needed to deal with bigger amounts of surpluses, shifting Ember’s goals to promote data-driven policy advocacy and to address systematic issues. Since 2020, the institution rebranded as Ember and decided to move their scope and geographical focus to promote a data-driven global effort to accelerate the energy transition. Apart from data on different energy sources, they provide worldwide insights with analysis and policy recommendations on energy.

Elia Transmission Belgium (Elia) is the Belgian transmission system operator (TSO). It transports electricity from producers to distribution system operators and major industrial users in a safe, reliable and efficient manner. Elia owns the whole of the extra-high-voltage grid (150 to 380 kV) and owns and has user rights over around 94% of the high-voltage grid (30 to 70 kV). To meet consumer demands and integrate massive amounts of renewable energy into the grid, Elia has an impressive investment portfolio which comprises both on- and offshore assets. The Belgian electricity grid is one of the most open and interconnected ones in Europe, since it comprises direct connections to the Netherlands, Germany, France and Great Britain. Elia’s parent company is Elia Group. The latter comprises several other subsidiaries, including transmission system operator 50Hertz in Germany. Together, Elia and 50Hertz operate 19,192 km of high-voltage connections, making Elia Group one of Europe’s top five TSOs. As a key player in the energy system, Elia Group is committed to working in the interest of society. It provides communities with a robust power grid, so supporting socioeconomic prosperity, and constantly adapts it in order to respond to the rapid increase in renewable energy and so encourage decarbonisation. Elia Group ensures that its investments are made on time and within budget, with a maximum focus on safety. In carrying out its projects, Elia Group interacts with its stakeholders in a proactive way by establishing two-way communication channels between all relevant parties very early on in the development process.

Created in 1968 as the Fédération française des sociétés de protection de la nature (FFSPN), France Nature Environnement (FNE) was recognised of public interest in 1976. Nowadays, FNE gathers more than 3,500 associations working for environment protection, in mainland France and overseas. It contributes to the improvement and respect of environmental laws in France and participates in more than 200 consultative and advisory bodies. FNE is also involved in raising environmental awareness through educational actions (reaching 2m persons each year) and sets up various projects with its partners to work concretely for the ecological transition. The movement gathers around 900,000 volunteers involved in multiple environmental associations, acting every day all around France. France Nature Environnement gathers knowledge through this network to lead both local and national actions. France Nature Environnement calls for an end to fossil and nuclear energies, for sobriety and for the development of renewable energies. At the moment, french national objectives make it necessary to develop renewables, and then to adapt the power grid: these issues brought together France Nature Environnement and Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (Rte), and are a basis of their historical partnership.

Friends of the Earth Ireland are a not for profit campaigning and advocacy organisation based in Ireland. Our vision is for a just world where people and nature thrive. We campaign for climate justice and sustainability and believe in environmental limits and fair shares. In relation to climate and energy policy our objective is to promote a rapid and just transition to a community centred, zero-carbon energy system for Ireland.

Created in 2010, Fundación Renovables is a civil society initiative where a number of citizens, some of them well experienced in the energy sector and all of them concerned about the actual energy model and its consequences, work under a common vision: it is urgent to develop a new energy vision in all areas of society and the economy, as the actual model is irrational and unsustainable. The public perceives energy as something abundant, relatively cheap, safe and unlimited, ignoring the social, economical and environmental impacts such as the accelerated progression of the global climate change.

Following the motto “Observing, Analysing, Acting”, Germanwatch has been actively promoting North-South equity and the preservation of livelihoods since 1991. In doing so, Germanwatch focuses on the politics and economics of the North with their worldwide consequences. Germanwatch intends to represent a strong lobby for sustainable development. The NGO endeavours to approach its aims by advocating fair trade relations, responsible financial markets, compliance with human rights, and the prevention of dangerous climate change.

HOPS is the Croatian Transmission System Operator and its mission is electric power system operation and maintenance, electricity transmission, as well as construction and development of the electricity transmission network in order to maintain security of supply with minimal costs and environmental protection. HOPS is the sole electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Croatia, and the owner of the entire Croatian transmission network.

Legambiente is the most widespread environmental organization in Italy with its headquarters in Rome, 20 regional branches and more than 115,000 members. It is acknowledged as an “association of environmental interest” by the Ministry of the Environment; it represents the UNEP National Committee for Italy and is one of the members of EEB (“European Environmental Bureau”), the Federation of European Environmental Organizations and IUCN – the World Conservation Union.

Founded in 1899, NABU (Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union), is one of the oldest and largest environment associations in Germany. The association encompasses more than 700,000 members and sponsors, who commit themselves to the conservation of threatened habitats, flora and fauna, to climate protection and energy policy. NABU’s main objectives are the preservation of habitats and biodiversity, the promotion of sustainability in agriculture, forest management and water supply and distribution, as well as to enhance the significance of nature conservation in our society. About 40,000 volunteers play an active role in practical nature conservation work, with great success: this is something that is special to NABU. These active NABU members look after more than 110,000 hectares of valuable protected reserves in Germany. NABU also has volunteer groups working on an international level to conserve nature and combat poverty in Africa, Eurasia and the Caucasus. This work is supported by professionals at our regional offices and at our national headquarters in Berlin, who take care of public relations, project development and management and political lobbying.

The National Energy System Operator, NESO, is an independent, public corporation at the centre of the energy system in Great Britain taking a whole system view to create a world where everyone has access to secure, reliable and affordable energy. NESO was created in October 2024 with broad strategic oversight of both the electricity and gas systems, ensuring that Great Britain’s energy infrastructure is secure, resilient, flexible, and future-proof as the country decarbonises to reach net-zero. The new organisation allows for a more integrated and coordinated strategy to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers. NESO is working with industry to deliver world-leading technologies to create an electricity network capable of zero carbon operations in 2025, enhancing stability, driving efficiencies, and delivering future savings for consumers. NESO has also delivered advice to the UK government on how to deliver of a clean power system by 2030 (find out more NESO’s website).

Natuur & Milieu (Nature & Environment) is a Dutch independent environmental organization, committed to creating a healthy environment for all. Their approach is solution-oriented and innovative. They bring together people, business, policy makers, knowledge and ideas to make a difference. They engage in partnerships with green business in order to demonstrate the public and policy makers that sustainable solutions are possible. Their focus is on three fields: Energy, Food and Mobility. Natuur & Milieu is based in the Netherlands but has a strong focus on European policy.

In Portugal, REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais operates the main transmission infrastructure and undertakes the overall management of the national electricity and gas systems. REN also has a natural gas distribution concession in the northern coastal region of Portugal. Through Enondas – Energia das Ondas. S.A., which is 100% owned by REN, it holds the concession to operate a pilot area for generating electricity from sea waves. REN also operates in the telecommunications business via RENTELECOM, which includes a range of services, such as infrastructure, managed services and consultancy. REN is strongly committed to sustainable development, and so is consistently investing in promoting knowledge and in research and development, strengthening the relationship with all stakeholders and between the academic world and industry in order to anticipate the solutions to major technological and environmental challenges, nationally and internationally. Therefore, it also actively takes part in the construction of the European energy market and the future new generation of transnational infrastructures.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is the largest wildlife conservation organisation in the UK, with over a million members. They own and manage over 200 nature reserves covering almost 130,000 hectares – home to 80% of the UK’s rarest or most threatened bird species. In addition to their conservation work on the ground in the UK, they lobby for bird and wildlife-friendly policies in UK, EU and international forums. They are the UK members of the international BirdLife partnership.

Red Eléctrica is the sole transmission agent and operator (TSO) of the Spanish electricity system. The Company carries out this mission under the principles of neutrality, transparency, and independence, with the aim of providing a secure, efficient electricity service of maximum quality for society as a whole. As the company responsible for transmission and operation of the Spanish electricity system, Red Eléctrica works, on a daily basis, on the development of grids and in the implementation of efficiency measures in the processes associated to the operation of the system, to help achieve the objectives related to climate change and to reduce our dependence on foreign energy. They develop the necessary transmission infrastructures and implement new technical operation solutions, through their Control Centre of Renewable Energies (CECRE), in order to maximise the safe integration of these energies into the electricity system. Read more about REE joining RGI and current electricity challenges in Spain in our interview with Roberto Arranz Cuesta, Head of the Environmental Department at REE.

RTE is the French electricity transmission system operator. It is a public service company responsible for operating, maintaining and developing the high and extra high voltage network which represents 100,000 km of lines.

Statnett is the system operator in the Norwegian energy system and a state enterprise owned by the Norwegian state through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Their mission is securing power supply through operations, monitoring and preparedness, facilitating the realisation of Norway’s climate objectives, and facilitating creation of value for their customers and the society in general. Statnett plays a key role in the green transition in Norway by facilitating electrification and contributing to the goal of zero emissions by 2050. They are preparing to respond to a large expected increase in power consumption in Norway in the coming years. According to Statnett’s analyses, current power consumption of around 140 TWh could rise to up to 260 TWh in 2050. Significantly increased capacity in the grid and increased power production will be necessary in the near future to meet the consumption increases required by society’s various goals. Find out about existing and planned projects on Statnett’s website.

Swissgrid is Switzerland’s national grid company. The Electricity Supply Act (StromVG) of 2007 reorganised the Swiss electricity market: electricity production, trading and sales as well as the transmission of electricity were separated, and Swissgrid was entrusted with the operation of the Swiss high-voltage grid. They employ more than 450 highly qualified people from more than 24 countries at its sites in Aarau, Laufenburg, Uznach, Landquart, Ostermundigen, Prilly and Castione. The Swiss electricity grid is extremely important for international electricity trading. For decades it has been a hub for balancing peaks in demand and production. Switzerland is a founding member of the ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity). Swissgrid is a recognised centre of competence in the ENTSO-E. Switzerland’s importance is also apparent from the figures: more than 40 lines connect the Swiss transmission system with other countries.

TenneT is Europe’s first cross-border Transmission System Operator. Integration of the two transmission grids of the German transpower and TenneT from the Netherlands will allow us to take a leading role in Europe. We will continue developing an effectively functioning EU electricity market, to assure the security of supply and support the integration of renewable energy. The new company has 1700 employees, nine branches and approx. 20,000 kilometres of high-voltage connections, making it one of the top 5 transmission system operators in Europe. The coming period we will focus on further integration of the two TSOs to one company.

Terna is one of the main European electricity transmission grid operators. It manages the high voltage Italian transmission grid, one of the most modern and technologically advanced in Europe. It plays a central role in transforming the electricity market towards the use of eco-compatible sources, guaranteeing a secure and efficient supply to households and businesses.

TransnetBW GmbH operates the transmission network in Baden-Württemberg. Its legal task is to guarantee system security at all times. TransnetBW monitors and continually operates the electricity flows within Baden-Württemberg as well as the electricity exchange with neighbouring distribution and transmission network operators. The company is the owner of the transmission network infrastructure and is responsible for maintenance and the development of the network in line with requirements. The 380/220-kV power circuit owned by TransnetBW is about 3,200 kilometres long and provides an area of 34,600 km². The transmission network is available to all players in the electricity market without discrimination and at fair and transparent conditions. With around 600 employees in the future, TransnetBW will achieve an annual turnover in excess of six billion Euros.

ZERO is a Portuguese environmental non-governmental organisation that was founded in 2015. ZERO emissions, ZERO waste, ZERO loss of biodiversity, there are several goals our buzz word stands out. ZERO is recognised has one of the most credible and active NGOs, with close contacts with decision-makers, the Portuguese government and parliamentarians to support the best policy decisions. At the national level we are particularly active in the area of sustainability, with an emphasis on energy and climate, with a wide group of connections and projects at the European level, and as members of several federations/networks.

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.