Explore how resilient, interconnected electricity grids can strengthen Europe’s energy sovereignty through case studies on Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain.
As Europe moves towards a cleaner and more sovereign energy future, electricity grids are becoming one of the continent’s most important strategic assets. Resilient, interconnected grids are essential for reducing dependence on external fossil fuels, integrating renewable energy, and ensuring that electricity can flow securely across borders.
Looking at Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain, this publication highlights the different barriers standing in the way of a stronger European energy system. From public acceptance and permitting delays to institutional capacity and limited cross-border infrastructure, each case shows that Europe’s energy transition will depend not only on producing more renewable energy, but on building the grids, policies, and public trust needed to make that transition work.
About the Authors
Markus Fischer
Markus Fischer has eight years of experience in the energy transition. He is a thought-leader on energy policy at NEOS and serves as a regional party executive focussing on Austrians living abroad. For more than five years, Markus worked at Ørsted, a global leader in renewable energy, across both business and policy functions. Prior to that, he gained experience at Engie, Tesla, and the United Nations. He studied environmental and energy policy at Sciences Po Paris and Peking University, and international business at WU Vienna. You can connect with him via linkedin.
Nihad Harbaš
Nihad Harbaš is one of the leading Climate & Energy experts in BiH. Nihad has a background in engineering, project management and company management. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Energy, from the University of Sarajevo. His focuses are Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina reforming processes of energy sector according to the European experience and practice, as well as the obligations arising from the Energy Community Treaty. Nihad is member of Energy Community Secretariat, IRENA, UN roster of experts 88 etc. Nihad has over 15 years of experience working with NGOs, the private sector and public institutions. In addition, he has been actively involved in numerous projects aimed at harmonizing the energy sector in line with the obligations of the Energy Community Treaty.
Dr. William Hongsong Wang
Dr. William Hongsong Wang is an Associate Professor (Profesor contratado doctor accredited by ANECA) of economics and the director of the Master’s Degree in International Trade and Economic Relations at Universidad Europea de Madrid. He is also a fellow of the Fundación Para el Avance de la Libertad in Spain and teaches political economy and public choice as an adjunct professor at Saint Louis University (Madrid campus). The author also thanks the research support from Fundación Jesús Huerta de Soto Ballester.