Environmental organisations and electricity operators are backing the modernisation and expansion of European power grids to unlock the full potential of renewables.

In a letter sent to Günther Oettinger, European commissioner for energy, nine national grid operators, 10 environmental organisations – including BirdLife International and WWF – and five other organisations said they backing the European Commission’s energy infrastructure plans published last month.

They support “Europe’s ambition to boost renewable electricity and cut carbon emissions,” a renewable-grid-initiative press release said. They also said they aim to raise public awareness of the need to extend grids to bring more renewables online.

Antonella Battaglini, director of the renewables-grid-initiative, said, “this declaration shows that Europe’s energy and environmental commitments don’t need to be in conflict – we can build grids fast for renewables and also protect nature.”

For the list of signatories to the letter, see here.