Eastern Europe is undergoing exponential growth in solar energy, propelled by a combination of political urgency, strategic infrastructure development and robust financial support. The Russian invasion of Ukraine acted as a catalyst for countries like Lithuania, Bulgaria, Poland and Estonia to fast-track energy independence through renewable technologies, particularly solar photovoltaics.
“The fastest source to connect today is solar PV,” asserts Alejandro Diego Rosell, Head of the Energy Research Department at Worldwide Recruitment Energy and Director of Energy at Nuvix Consulting, in conversation Strategic Energy Europe. Alongside the geopolitical urgency, Rosell highlights the decisive role played by the EU’s Next Generation funds and national recovery and resilience plans, which have channelled capital into new capacity and grid upgrades.
Interconnectors: the backbone of the new energy system
The surge in solar deployment has demanded equally swift adaptation of electrical infrastructure. “If you suddenly fill rooftops and fields with panels, your grid needs to keep up,” Rosell explains. Cross-border interconnections are emerging as a strategic tool for balancing fluctuating generation across the region.
Poland has rolled out new interconnections with Lithuania and completed a powerful new line with Slovakia in 2023. Romania is reinforcing links with Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine, positioning itself as a strategic hub between the Black Sea and Central Europe. Hungary and Slovakia are also upgrading cross-border capacity and internal grid flexibility.
A historic milestone was reached in February 2025 when the Baltic states disconnected from the Russian grid. “The Baltics disconnected from the Russian grid on 8 February,” Rosell notes. This shift was enabled through synchronisation with the ENTSO-E network, marking a technical and political breakthrough in regional energy integration.
A grid still catching up with solar momentum
Despite progress in interconnectivity, internal electricity networks remain a weak point. Rosell warns that “many infrastructures are still designed for centralised systems, not distributed ones,” creating bottlenecks.
Key gaps include a lack of digitalisation, storage, smart grids and flexible system management. These limitations can delay the integration of ready-to-operate solar projects. “They’re on the right track, but they still need to step up if all this new solar is to be absorbed,” he adds.
Looking ahead: Eastern Europe as a clean energy exporter
Between 2022 and 2023, the EU’s installed solar PV capacity rose from 40 to 56 GW, reaching 65 GW by 2024. Rosell forecasts this trend will stabilise at around 75 GW annually in coming years. “We’re now entering the age of batteries, thermal storage and pumped hydro,” he anticipates.
This trajectory could position Eastern Europe as a net exporter of clean electricity, especially as grid connectivity and storage solutions expand. As Rosell puts it: “Europe is—and will continue to be—a clean energy exporter.”
China vs. Europe: contrasting grid philosophies
The difference in pace between Europe and China underscores deeper structural contrasts. In just two months, China deployed nearly 40 GW of solar, while European permitting can take up to 7 years. For Rosell, the root cause lies in how each region plans and governs its energy infrastructure.
“China operates with a much more centralised, top-down model. The state decides where solar parks go, how they connect, and builds transmission at record speed,” he explains. In contrast, Europe’s grid is fragmented across national operators, coordinated by ENTSO-E, which “does not have executive power—only a harmonisation role.”
This means each project must navigate local permitting, environmental assessments, and access rights—often over years. “Is the European grid holding back renewables? In part, yes—but not due to lack of intent. It’s structural,” he affirms.
Regulatory reform: the next hurdle
Although EU-wide reforms in 2022 and 2023 aimed to streamline permitting in urban and industrial zones, most countries still face red tape. Rosell points to “a shortage of technical staff, outdated procedures and lack of coordination between authorities.”
Accelerating deployment will require digital permitting tools, more technical personnel and clear zoning rules for where solar can and cannot be built. “All of this must still respect environmental protection. It’s a transformation that doesn’t happen overnight,” Rosell concludes.
In a recent LinkedIn post, he notes that Eastern Europe is no longer just replacing Russian gas—it’s redefining its strategic energy role through rapid solar growth, rising export potential and alignment with the EU’s green transition goals.
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