As demand for power grid access surges due to the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and renewable energy, experts warn that building new transmission networks alone may not adequately address immediate bottlenecks. Given that constructing power grids can take up to 15 years, strategies such as filtering out false access applications and enhancing the capacity of existing networks have been proposed.
According to a report titled 'Global Trends in Addressing Power Grid Access Bottlenecks' published by the Korea Electric Power Corporation Management Research Institute, the main causes of delays in power grid access include the slow expansion of the grid, mismatched construction timelines between the grid and access facilities, and the phenomenon of 'virtual saturation.' The report is based on the International Energy Agency's 'Electricity 2026.'
While power grids can take 5 to 15 years to complete, access facilities such as renewable energy sources, energy storage systems (ESS), and data centers can be built in 1 to 5 years. A shortage of equipment like transformers, wires, and circuit breakers is also contributing to delays in grid expansion.
In South Korea, the expansion of the power grid is lagging behind schedule. Of the 54 major transmission projects included in the 11th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand, 20 are experiencing delays compared to initial timelines. In this context, the government is pushing for the deployment of 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030 while also incorporating new power demands from data centers and advanced industries into the 12th Basic Plan.
To alleviate bottlenecks before new power grids are completed, managing access queues has been identified as a key solution. In a first-come, first-served system, companies may apply before finalizing projects or maintain applications for suspended projects, leading to 'virtual saturation' in the queue.
Germany has introduced a processing fee of 50,000 euros for access applications, resulting in 65% of pending battery projects being abandoned. In the U.S. Midwest, the transmission operator MISO has implemented a policy to forcibly withdraw projects that do not reach key milestones or forfeit their deposits, leading to a 10% reduction in the access queue in 2025 compared to the previous year. In South Korea, Korea Electric Power Corporation is tightening management of companies that secure grid access but do not proceed with power generation projects, securing about 5 GW of excess grid access capacity.
Conditional access methods are also gaining traction, allowing for access even when the grid is insufficient. 'Non-firm access' permits early connection by limiting the output of generation facilities or power consumption from data centers during grid congestion. As of November 2025, 15 countries are implementing this approach. The South Korean government is also promoting flexible access within the limits of maintaining grid stability.
Additionally, strategies to enhance the capacity of existing power grids have been proposed. Han Jeong-min, a researcher at the Korea Electric Power Corporation Management Research Institute, analyzed that utilizing technologies such as dynamic transmission capacity assessment, wire replacement, and voltage boosting could potentially secure an additional 450 to 700 GW of global grid capacity.
However, these technologies are described as transitional measures to alleviate congestion until new power grids are completed, rather than replacements for new construction.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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