Grid operators and environmental organisations team up to promote sustainable modernisation of electricity grids

To support a successful implementation of the European Grid Declaration, signed by a coalition of Europe’s 29 largest environmental NGOs and grid operators in 2011, the Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) launches the European Grid Report. The report publishes over 80 selected practical experiences by different RGI members across Europe.

Today at the 2nd European Grid Conference in Brussels, jointly organised by RGI and Smart Energy for Europe Platform (SEFEP), the report and the extended European Grid Declaration on Transparency and Public Participation were presented to European Commissioner for Energy Günther H. Oettinger and to European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik.

Under the guidance of RGI, a coalition of Europe’s 29 largest environmental NGOs and grid operators pledged to work in partnership to ensure that the goals of grid modernisation and environmental protection can be achieved side by side. In November 2011 the ‘European Grid Declaration on Electricity Network Development and Nature Conservation in Europe’ was publicly signed in Brussels and handed to EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger. Signed today, the second part of the European Grid Declaration on Transparency and Public Participation states the willingness of RGI members to better inform and involve concerned stakeholders and the broader public about grid extension plans and projects.

Building on the principles of the European Grid Declaration, it is absolutely crucial to enhance and to stimulate the use of “better practices” in designing, planning, and communicating grid modernisation projects. To foster a swifter implementation of successfully proven concepts, RGI launches today the European Grid Report “Beyond Public Opposition – Lessons Learned across Europe”. The report provides a comprehensive overview of ongoing activities and relevant experiences that have been gathered in seven countries across Europe.

Signatories of European Grid Declaration on Transparency and Public Participation:
50Hertz, Bellona, BirdLife Europe, CAN Europe, Civilscape, Climate Parliament, Creos SA, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Dii, European Climate Foundation, Elia, Eurobat, European Hydrogen Association, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Friends of the Supergrid, Germanwatch, Global Nature, Greenpeace, National Grid, Red Electrica de Espana, RSPB, RTE, Smart Energy for Europe Platform (SEFEP), Statnett, Swissgrid, TenneT, Terna, WWF

RGI gratefully acknowledges the EU LIFE funding support:

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.