Massive 10-11 Hour Power Outage in Spain and Portugal Sparks Renewable Energy Debate, ENTSO-E Investigates

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Updated May 10, 2025, 01:35 PM

A massive power outage struck Spain and Portugal on April 28, leaving millions without electricity and disrupting transportation, communications, and internet access for 10-11 hours. The blackout, which also affected parts of France, has sparked a debate over the stability of electrical grids with high renewable energy penetration. Some experts have pointed to an overreliance on renewable energy as a potential cause, though officials have denied this claim. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) reported that the outage was preceded by two periods of power and frequency oscillations across the continental European synchronous zone, 30 minutes before the incident. These oscillations were observed between 12:03 and 12:07 CET, and between 12:19 and 12:21 CET. Despite efforts by Spanish and French grid operators to mitigate these fluctuations, the system failed to stabilize. The blackout began at 12:32:57 CET when a sudden disconnection of 2,200 megawatts of power generation occurred in southern Spain, leading to a loss of 15 GW and a cascading failure of the Iberian Peninsula's electrical grid, causing a complete blackout. The frequency fell to 48.0 Hz, triggering automatic load shedding plans in Spain and Portugal. At the time of the incident, Spain was exporting 1,000 MW to France, 2,000 MW to Portugal, and 800 MW to Morocco. The incident has prompted an investigation by ENTSO-E, led by Vice President and Minister of Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen, which has formed a panel of independent experts to analyze the technical data and develop recommendations for improving grid resilience. In the aftermath, Portugal temporarily suspended electricity imports from Spain, leading to a surge in electricity prices in Portugal. The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of the Iberian electrical grid and raised questions about the management and privatization of the energy infrastructure.

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#Spain #Portugal #France #European #Spanish #French #Iberian Peninsula #Morocco #Sara Aagesen #Iberian electrical grid

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Sources

telegraph.co.uk(4)bloomberg.com(4)reuters.com(3)newscientist.com(2)

elEconomista.es

@elEconomistaes

ENTSO-E confirms a disconnection of 2,200 MW in southern Spain as a trigger for the blackout https://t.co/ih3ugtdHXZ

POLITICOEurope

@POLITICOEurope

Experts are divided over whether more nuclear power would have made a difference during the recent power outage in Spain and Portugal. But that hasn't stopped the EU's staunchest nuclear backers from pushing their favorite hobby horse. 🔗 https://t.co/OCyioTNZAL https://t.co/RIqhb4B5B2

Michael A. Arouet

@MichaelAArouet

Spain, the UK, Germany, they are all ignoring well known risks associated with wind and solar. Blackouts would have catastrophic consequences. After the Fukushima of renewables, recent blackout in Spain, it’s not just a theoretical risk. Will they change course? https://t.co/Etz59Fbf45