Parvathy Sobha, Brida Mbuwir, and Bart Overdevest discuss how Europe can strengthen energy security by learning from the Nordic model, showing that high penetration of renewable energy, strong grid integration, and coordinated markets can deliver reliable net-zero electricity systems.
Renewable energy is transforming Europe’s energy landscape, but the rapid green transition is testing the stability of the electricity grid. The Iberian blackout exposed the risks of ambition outweighing system flexibility. But in the north, it’s a different story.
Nordic countries are integrating huge proportions of renewable energy while keeping the lights on, proving that reliability and decarbonization can go hand in hand. What can the rest of Europe learn from Scandinavia to protect energy security in a net-zero grid?
european energy security test
As wind and solar power replace traditional power plants that once provided system inertia, maintaining voltage and frequency stability has become more fragile.
Recent fuel market volatility and supply shocks have also exposed the limitations of isolated national grids. This is not a reason to delay the green transition, but it is a reminder that Europe needs to build an electricity system that combines scale, resilience and low-carbon intensity.
nordic blueprint
The Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark) have built one of the most reliable and decarbonized electricity systems in the world and are known for their unique combination of resources, coordination and market integration.
A complementary energy mix forms its backbone. Distributable hydropower balances fluctuating wind power, while nuclear power and bioenergy increase stability and seasonal flexibility. This is further complemented by increased contributions from batteries and demand response.
Additionally, cross-border links allow power to flow to where it is needed most, easing regional power shortages and reducing price volatility.
Additionally, strong regional cooperation, harmonized grid codes, shared market rules, and coordinated system planning will enable national carriers to function as a single interconnected network.
Finally, a deeply integrated day-ahead, intraday, and equilibrium market turns volatility into an asset by smoothing prices, reducing the need for reserves, and strengthening reliability as renewable energy stocks rise.
Applying Nordic lessons to Europe’s energy future
Adopting the Nordic model requires adapting to Europe’s diverse realities. Not all regions have hydropower to support Scandinavia’s flexibility.
Balancing fluctuating renewable energy in other parts of Europe requires a smarter mix of storage, flexible demand and interconnections.
The Nordic example shows that strong coordination, consistent investment, and shared market rules can overcome resource and geographic disparities alike. Infrastructure gaps, uneven market maturity, and regulatory differences remain obstacles, but none are insurmountable.
The EU needs to strengthen not only its physical grids, but also the cooperation that connects them. Accelerating interconnections and internal reinforcement through programs like TEN-E and REPowerEU allows renewable power to flow across borders, turning surplus wind in one region into stability in another.
Equally important is market consolidation. Deepen the balance of day-ahead, intra-day, and market coupling to ensure you get to the point where flexibility creates the most value, whether it’s storage, demand response, or variable renewables.
Treating flexibility as a core infrastructure and emphasizing fast frequency response within capacity and grid-scale storage and balancing mechanisms ensures reliability in cleaner, more dynamic power configurations.
Operational harmony is the glue that holds this system together. Harmonizing grid codes, planning standards and market rules across member states will enable transmission and distribution operators to function as one coordinated European network.
A shared digital backbone built on real-time data, predictions, and automation gives you the visibility and speed you need to manage distributed generation. The people remain at the center of this transformation.
Cross-border projects must provide tangible local benefits, such as fair prices, clean air, and sustainable jobs. Gaining public trust through transparency and fair outcomes maintains momentum and legitimacy.
This opinion piece was produced in cooperation with European Sustainable Energy Week 2026. For the open call, please see ec.europa.eu/eusew.
Parvathy Sobha is an energy systems analyst specializing in sustainable energy.
Transition and climate policy. She currently works as an energy expert at the IVL Swedish Environment Institute, contributing to projects at Swedish and EU level and promoting evidence-based approaches to the energy transition.
Brida Mbuwir is a water and energy research and development specialist.
Transition unit of the Flemish Institute of Technology (VITO). Her work focuses on leveraging recent technological advances in smart grid and renewable energy integration projects.
Bart Overdevest is a project engineer at RWE Generation, working on projects that accelerate the transition to clean energy and increase system flexibility.
Through solutions such as battery storage, hydrogen and carbon capture. He has a background in energy science and industrial engineering.
Butorac, S. (May 2025). EU Electricity Grid (EPRS Briefing No. PE 772.854). European Parliament Research Service. Ulbig, A., Borsche, T. S., & Anderson, G. (2013). Impact of low rotational inertia on power system stability and operation. Power Systems Research, 103, 90-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2013.10.009 ENTSO-E. (October 3, 2025). April 28, 2025 power outage: factual report on the Spanish and Portuguese power grid disaster. Network of European electricity transmission system operators. https://www.entsoe.eu/publications/blackout/28-april-2025-iberian-blackout/
Nordpool A.S. (2020). Nord Pool: simple, efficient and safe. https://www.nordpoolgroup.com/ja/
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