High Wire Act

This report analyzes electricity transmission challenges for renewable energy in the EU, China, and the US. It identifies that while transmission is critical for managing the intermittency and remote location of renewables, progress is hindered by fragmented governance, cost-allocation disputes, and tensions between national and local interests. China is investing heavily in ultra high voltage (UHV) infrastructure, the EU is utilizing Directives to integrate member-state grids, and the US struggles with a highly localized, state-led planning approach.

• Transmission infrastructure is essential for renewable energy (RE) because RE resources are typically intermittent and location-constrained, often situated in remote areas far from demand centers like cities. Widespread interconnection is required to balance low production in one area with high production in another to ensure stable service.
• In the European Union, the EU Renewable Energy Directive of June 2009 targets 20 percent of power from RE sources by 2020. While the EU uses Directives to push for grid integration and cross-border transmission, progress is hindered by fragmented planning and member states' authority to block projects that do not provide sufficient local benefit.
• China aims to double its electric power generation capacity by 2020 compared to 2009 levels, with a focus on wind farms in northwest China. To move energy to megacities, China is investing $59.7 billion in ultra high voltage (UHV) infrastructure, though it still faces challenges including inflexible dispatching and a lack of financial incentives for grid operators to accept RE power.
• The United States faces highly fragmented transmission planning and siting, with RE goals set by 31 states rather than the federal government. Large-scale projects are frequently jeopardized by disputes over cost allocation between transmission companies or regulators, particularly for projects not directly linked to system reliability.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). High Wire Act. https://www.wri.org/research/high-wire-act

Chicago

World Resources Institute. High Wire Act. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/high-wire-act.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=High Wire Act |url=https://www.wri.org/research/high-wire-act |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendhigh, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{High Wire Act}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/high-wire-act}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }