Envisioning Resilient Electrical Infrastructure: A Policy Framework for Incorporating Future Climate Change into Electricity Sector Planning

Abstract

Climate change needs to be incorporated in future designs of the electricity sector. This paper argues for a policy framework in which utilities take the lead by performing an electrical climate change impact assessment that evaluates to what extent utilities’ electrical assets are vulnerable to future climate change. Based on this assessment, electrical climate change adaptation plans should be formulated by the utility in cooperation with utility regulators, municipalities and supralocal governments. A collaborative process is essential, because adaptation measures need to be tailored to the regional circumstances and many types of adaptation measures require governmental approval. In order for the most sustainable and cost-efficient measures to be selected, cooperation between governments, utilities and utility regulators is necessary