Electrification is already a competitive advantage for Europe, but its expansion requires better coordination at all levels of the system, according to a new Eurelectric report published today at the Energy Summit.
Based on data collected from 61 companies and 30 specific projects, the report identifies what makes an industrial project successful and what hinders development. A new model has emerged: “Power Couples” —a replicable electrification strategy that boosts competitiveness by aligning market signals, grid infrastructure, investment frameworks, and policy, notes the related press release.
Electrification is increasingly recognized as a key prerequisite for the industry to remain competitive on the global stage, yet it is not expanding at the required pace. To identify key barriers and develop common solutions, the European energy sector has collaborated with industry stakeholders from three different sectors: industries using low- and medium-temperature heat, energy-intensive industries, and data centers.
The resulting report identifies five replicable models that function as “Power Couples”: integrated models of industrial partnerships that jointly optimize demand, low-carbon emissions, infrastructure, and flexibility.
In a Power Couples model, one load supports clean energy in the long term, another shifts demand when prices rise, a third provides rapid balancing, and all of them share infrastructure, risks, and system value. They operate through commercial structures such as long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Heat as a Service, Energy as a Service, waste heat recovery, flexibility revenues, or blended public-private financing.
“Transforming fragmented decisions into coordinated action at the system level is key to addressing the challenge of expanding electrification,” said Markus Rauramo, President and CEO of Fortum. ““Now, Europe needs investment predictability, faster grid development, and integrated delivery models that can scale rapidly. This will unlock a more resilient, competitive, and investment-ready industrial economy.”
For the industry, the Power Couples approach supports the economic returns on investments in electrification, commented Catherine MacGregor, Vice President and Managing Director of ENGIE, adding:
“Electrification is a cornerstone of industrial competitiveness and Europe’s energy transition. To realize its potential, we need a more integrated approach that links market design, infrastructure, and the investment framework. When these dimensions are aligned in a timely manner, electrification becomes not only technically feasible but also economically imperative, paving the way for scalable, replicable, and cost-effective projects across Europe.
Note: Eurelectric represents the common interests of the European electricity industry. Representing more than 3,500 electricity companies, we seek to promote the role of electricity in society.