Germany green energy overloads neighbours' grids

Frankfurt

GERMANY'S drive to harness wind and solar power is producing so much electricity that it's spilling over into neighbours' grids and increasing the threat of blackouts.

Poland and the Czech Republic are spending US$180 million on equipment to protect their systems from German power surges, while Austria is curbing some trading to prevent regional networks from collapsing. On a windy day, the overflow east can exceed the output from four atomic reactors.