Secure and Efficient Electricity Supply
During the Transition to Low Carbon Power Systems
Electricity shortages can paralyse our modern economies. All governments fear rolling
black-outs and their economic consequences, especially in economies increasingly based
on digital technologies.
Over the last two decades, the development of markets for power has produced cost
reduction, technological innovation, increased cross border trade and assured a steady
supply of electricity. Now, IEA countries face the challenge of maintaining security
of electricity supply during the transition to low-carbon economies.
Low-carbon policies are pushing electricity markets into novel territories at a time
when most of the generation and network capacity will have to be replaced. Most notably,
wind and solar generation, now an integral part of electricity markets, can present
new operating and investment challenges for generation, networks and the regional
integration of electricity markets. In addition, the resilience of power systems facing
more frequent natural disasters is also of increasing concern.
IEA ministers mandated the Secretariat to work on the Electricity Security Action
Plan (ESAP), expanding to electricity the energy security mission of the IEA. This
paper outlines the key conclusions and policy recommendations to "keep the lights
on" while reducing CO
2 emissions and increasing the efficiency.
Published on April 28, 2014