Based on high-resolution weather and electrical load data, the transmission needs for a fully renewable pan-European electricity system are determined. The ideal cross-border transmission capacities turn out to be a factor 10 larger than those of today. A reduction of cross-border transmission capacities lead to a non-linear increase of balancing needs. A good compromise turns out to be a capacity layout, which is a factor 5 larger than today’s one. On average each country will only be able to import / export 40% of its residual demand / renewable excess generation.
