Germany’s annual grid investment increased 505% over the period, followed by Greece at 327% and Sweden at 310%, the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators said in its Monitoring Report, Energy infrastructure development in Europe 2026. Investment in 2025 was below 2019 levels only in Luxembourg and Norway.

Looking ahead, 15 of 18 countries surveyed — 83% — estimate that investment in 2030 will exceed 2025 levels, by an average of 134%, ACER said. The Netherlands projects the largest rise, with investment expected to be nearly five times its 2025 level. Estonia, Latvia and Cyprus are the only EU member states forecasting a decline. ACER cautioned that the estimates should be treated carefully because transmission projects have repeatedly been delayed or rescheduled.

The projected spending comes as rising renewable generation puts pressure on electricity networks that must accommodate increased solar and wind output. The European Commission estimates that €2 trillion to €2.3 trillion ($2.25 trillion to $2.6 trillion) will be needed to meet grid requirements through 2050, according to a review by the European Court of Auditors published last year.

By the end of this decade, the EU will need €584 billion ($656 billion) in investment, the Commission says. It cites the age of the infrastructure — 40% of distribution grids are more than 40 years old — and plans to double cross-border transmission capacity by 2030.