Brussels, 27 January 2025 – A leading group of Europe’s energy users and grid technology innovators today launched the Green Industrial Grids Association (GIGA). The association has been created to support a fundamental transformation of Europe’s power system by accelerating the development of modern and digital electricity grids. GIGA fills a gap by bringing together companies with shared electricity needs to provide practical, user-driven insights on grid access, planning and system modernisation, perspectives currently missing from Europe’s energy discussions.
GIGA’s members include Amazon, Electra, Fastned, Google, Hitachi Energy, Linde, Meta, Metlen, Milence, Microsoft and Siemens Energy. Together, they represent a broad cross section of electricity consumers and technology providers committed to transforming Europe’s grids to power a clean, competitive and decarbonised economy.
Europe’s grids must evolve to meet rising demand
Across Europe, electricity demand is accelerating as manufacturers scale electrification, digital services expand and consumers adopt clean technologies at speed. However, Europe’s grids have not kept pace. Ageing infrastructure, slow permitting processes and years-long connection queues now limit the ability of companies and citizens to access clean, affordable electricity when they need it. As highlighted by the European Commission, addressing these challenges will require unprecedented levels of investment, with an estimated €1.2 trillion needed for electricity grid infrastructure by 2040.
Delivering the conditions for a modern electricity system
GIGA will advocate for a fundamental grid transformation:
As Europe works toward reaching climate neutrality by mid-century while safeguarding energy security, affordability, and competitiveness, grids must transform at pace. To support the electrification agenda, GIGA will provide technical expertise and practical insight based on the experience of its members with regulatory frameworks and grid planning processes worldwide. GIGA will aim to ensure policy decisions of EU institutions and national authorities are informed by the needs of industrial electricity users and grid technology providers.
Quotes
Matt Ersin, Chair of GIGA, said:
“Europe’s energy transition will only succeed if our grids evolve with the same speed and scale as industrial electrification and digital innovation. Through GIGA, industry is providing a shared vision for a competitive and decarbonised Europe, and a commitment to supporting the policies and investments that make it possible.”
Pamela MacDougall, Vice-Chair of GIGA, added:
“Modern grids are the foundation of Europe’s clean and competitive economy. As Vice Chair of GIGA, I am proud to help guide this association as we bring forward practical expertise and technical insight to support Europe in planning, building, and operating the electricity system it needs for the future.”
About GIGA
The Green Industrial Grids Association unites large and medium-sized electricity consumers and technology providers that play a critical role in Europe’s economy and long-term competitiveness.
Our members are dedicated to accelerating the deployment of new electrical grids, as well as the modernisation and digitalisation of existing ones. We believe these efforts are prerequisites for European competitiveness and economic prosperity.
The association works with a broad set of stakeholders to help ensure that Europe’s grids are ready to support a clean, competitive, and electrified economy.
Learn more at: www.gigagrids.eu
