COP30 brings together leaders to accelerate modernisation of global electricity infrastructure

Ministerial session reinforced the urgency of modernising power grids and expanding energy storage around the world

Amid the debate on energy transition, global electricity infrastructure was discussed among leaders on Friday, 14/11, at the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Grids and Storage. A council was launched on the occasion to consider new mechanisms and international solutions for the sector.

COP30 High-Level Champion Dan Ioschpe reinforced the importance of investment to advance the implementation of the energy transition. "Governments alone cannot solve the climate crisis. What is negotiated in the COP rooms must be implemented in practice, with more renewable energy, resilient infrastructure and financing reaching where it is most needed. This is the decade of implementation, and grids and energy storage are central elements to ensure efficiency, resilience and integration across all energy systems", he said.

Representing the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the National Secretary for Energy Transition and Planning, Gustavo Ataíde, stated that expanding grids and storage is essential for global electrification. "Demand is growing faster than grids can expand. There is no transition without transmission," he said. He also highlighted that Brazil operates one of the largest interconnected power systems in the world, with 88% renewable generation, but now faces new challenges related to flexibility and the integration of loads.

The event launched the Coordination Council for the Implementation of Grids and Storage, a new international mechanism created to accelerate global action on electricity networks and storage solutions. In addition, a Framework for Investable Projects was unveiled, developed to transform national targets into projects capable of attracting investment, especially in emerging markets.

The CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), Bruce Douglas, reinforced that clear targets and more finance will be decisive in building the renewable and resilient systems the world needs. "There is a gap between the investment required and what is being delivered, especially in emerging markets. We need to accelerate investment and embed clear targets into national and regional strategies," he said.

Based on the discussions, participants highlighted that the expansion of grids and storage technologies remains a central part of the ongoing agenda, which continues after COP30.