Grid Congestion Management: Stability Maintained Amid Rising Renewable Integration

Grid Congestion Management: Stability Maintained Amid Rising Renewable Integration

April 2, 2026

The results of the 2025 grid congestion management report are in, and they offer a mixed but largely positive outlook for the energy transition. Despite a massive expansion in renewable capacity—including nearly 10 GW of new solar alone—the power grid remained stable throughout the year. The most impressive takeaway? More than 96% of all renewable electricity produced was successfully fed into the grid and used by consumers. While the total volume of congestion management measures held steady at around 30,300 GWh, the underlying dynamics of how we manage our power are shifting significantly.

One of the most notable trends is the rise in photovoltaic (PV) curtailment, which nearly doubled in 2025. This was driven by a combination of record-breaking new capacity and above-average solar radiation during the spring and summer months. Simultaneously, the burden of managing this congestion is moving “downstream.” The share of congestion occurring in distribution networks rose to 35%, up from 26% the previous year. This reflects the growing reality of decentralized energy: as more homes and businesses install solar panels, the lower-level local grids are feeling the pressure that was once reserved for high-voltage transmission lines. To keep the lights on and the grid balanced, “redispatch” measures remained a critical tool. When renewable generation exceeds local grid capacity, grid operators must ramp down green plants and temporarily ramp up conventional ones (primarily natural gas and coal) in other regions to maintain balance.

While these measures ensured zero blackouts, they came with a price tag of €3.07 billion, a slight 4% increase over 2024. However, there is a silver lining: the actual compensation paid to renewable generators for curtailed power fell by 22%, thanks to higher wholesale electricity prices. As we look toward the future, the stability of 2025 proves that our grid management systems are robust, but the shift toward distribution-level congestion signals an urgent need for smarter, more flexible local grid infrastructure.