Europe’s energy transition is underway. Electric vehicles, heat pumps and renewable sources start to be rolled out at scale, and distribution system operators (DSOs) are at the centre of this transformation. But as we electrify our continent, we are also facing a changing climate that is testing Europe – from last week’s sweltering heatwaves to shifting wind patterns in the jet stream, rising sea levels, and wildfires like those in Marseille this week.
Building grid resilience is vital to secure Europe’s electricity supply and strengthen the entire energy value chain. On this premise, Eurelectric launched its new paper on climate resilience this week- highlighting what DSOs are already doing, and what policy must deliver, to keep the power flowing in a hotter, stormier future.
In this edition of the Friday Feature, we look at Europe’s changing climate conditions, what DSOs are doing to adapt, and how policy is – and should be – supporting a more resilient distribution grid.
Europe is getting too warm, too fast
According to the latest Copernicus state of the climate report, Europe is warming at around twice the global average, making it the fastest-warming continent on Earth. 2024 was the warmest year on record, marked by unprecedented heat stress days, record numbers of tropical nights, and severe drought conditions in the southeast. Flooding affected more regions than in any year since 2013, with storms and intense rainfall disrupting communities and infrastructure across the continent.
These events put lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure at risk – but they also threaten Europe’s security of supply. Extreme weather can damage electricity infrastructure, disrupt service and increase operational risks. Last year, the Spanish region of Valencia experienced the most extreme rainstorm with up to 400 litres per square metre in a single day – leaving 180 000 customers without power. This year, storm Éowyn in Ireland brought wind gusts of up to 184 km/h, cutting power to over 768,000 customers in the worst blackout ESB Networks has ever faced.
Distribution System Operators are on the front line of this new normal, and they need support to adapt.
“Grid operators are facing a tough reality. In the coming decades heatwaves, floodings and storms will occur ever more often. Operators need to be prepared. That’s why strong emergency coordination and recovery planning are just as important as physical upgrades.”
What are DSOs doing to prepare?
Together with our members across Europe, Eurelectric has identified practical ways DSOs are already adapting to the physical risks posed by climate change:
- First, they are mapping climate risks in detail. DSOs are analysing local conditions to understand which assets are most vulnerable to specific hazards – from river flooding and sea-level rise to heatwaves and high winds. This means better data, updated risk models and climate scenario planning that feeds directly into their investment strategies.
- Second, they are boosting the resistance of their networks. This goes beyond routine maintenance. It includes physical upgrades like flood-protected substations, heat-resistant cables, and reinforced overhead lines designed to withstand stronger winds and ice loads. It also means redesigning grid layouts in vulnerable zones to limit damage when extreme events hit.
- Third, they are preparing for rapid restoration. DSOs are strengthening their emergency preparedness so they can restore supply quickly after damage. This involves detailed recovery plans, local response teams, and coordination with civil protection agencies. It also includes investing in automation and remote-control systems that can reroute power or isolate faults instantly to minimise outages.
To illustrate this strategy, in the report we just launched, we also highlight six case studies from across Europe show different situations and solutions to improve distribution grids’ resilience to the physical impacts of climate change.
And what is policy doing?
European policymakers are paying attention. On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted its own-initiative report on energy security, calling for stronger protection of critical infrastructure against physical, cyber and increasingly climate-related risks. The text highlights the need for improved risk assessments, better cross-border coordination and clear contingency planning. Earlier this year, the Council had adopted conclusions which underlined similar priorities (we talked about it in more detail in this LinkedIn Feature).
But more is needed to ensure Europe’s grids be truly resilient. We believe grid resilience to climate change should be acknowledged as central to the DSO mission. In this regard, climate adaptation of grids should be:
- Incentivised by National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) through national regulation and National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
- Integrated into Distribution Network Development Plans
- Considered in public procurement legislation and placed at the core of the EU’s forthcoming Climate Adaptation Plan
We would encourage the European Commission to include these priorities in its forthcoming grids package. Beyond this, the Governance Regulation should also be amended to make NRAs responsible for addressing climate adaptation and to incentivise DSOs to implement these strategies.
Savannah Altvater, our head of distribution and market facilitation explains more about how national and EU frameworks can better support DSOs in a short video here.
What’s next?
With the European Commission’s Climate Adaptation Plan expected in 2026, Eurelectric’s new paper sets out clear recommendations to make Europe’s grids truly climate-ready. Building resilience isn’t just an option – it’s essential for a secure, reliable and sustainable energy transition.
This blog post was originally published as part of Eurelectric’s LinkedIn Friday Features. Subscribe here to stay updated.
Disclaimer: This article is for communication purposes only and may not reflect Eurelectric positions. Any positions taken in this article shall not be attributable to Eurelectric’s official positioning. Official Eurelectric positions are reflected only in position papers published here.