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"At present, we're still in the dark about the reasons behind the massive coup."

After last week's power blackout in the Iberian peninsula, Spain's Environment Minister suggested that several days might be needed to pinpoint the culprit, indicating a potential initial glitch traced back to solar energy systems.

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"At present, we're still in the dark about the reasons behind the massive coup."

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In the wake of the significant power outage that struck the Iberian Peninsula, Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, suggests it may take more days to pinpoint the root cause. Speaking to El País, she warned of the electrical system's complexity and kept all possibilities open, including the notion of a potential cyberattack.

During numerous inquiries about the role of renewable energies in this blackout, Aagesen eventually acknowledged the possibility of an initial glitch from photovoltaic installations in southwestern Spain. Yet, she decisively dismissed any claims that reconsider renewable energies as the origin are "easy diagnosis," "irresponsible," and "simplistic."

After the power failure, experts deliberated over a potential imbalance between electricity production and demand, which might have exacerbated the situation. This mix of energy production, including wind and solar power, exists within the Spanish system for a prolonged period, according to the Minister. She emphasized that the hypothesis of an excessive amount of renewable energy entering the system doesn't hold merit since there were instances where solar energy production was higher, and demand was lower, with the system functioning effectively.

Renewable energies, per the minister, provide Spain with valuable energy independence in a geopolitically sensitive world. She also emphasized the significance of increased interconnectivity, particularly with France, to bolster the resilience of the Iberian system.

France, however, has expressed reservations towards the installation of two new interconnections via the Pyrenees, citing environmental concerns. Aagesen stressed that this should be a shared objective beyond France and Spain, being part of the larger European market. Despite France's concerns, the Minister is adamant that the environmental impact of these interconnections can be minimized.

Enrichment Data:As of the latest updates (up to 5 May 2025), the exact cause of the 28 April Iberian Peninsula blackout continues to elude determination, according to official reports. The event affected mainland Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of southwest France, resulting in deaths and extensive infrastructure disruptions. The European Commission has collaborated with national authorities and ENTSO-E (European electricity grid operators) but has yet to publicly confirm photovoltaic systems or cyberattacks as definitive factors. Restoration efforts prioritized reactivating critical systems, with partial power restored rapidly in some areas. The investigation remains ongoing, with Spain's Red Eléctrica's grid-data analysis expected to play a crucial role.

  1. The political fallout from the Iberian Peninsula's blackout continues, with Minister Sara Aagesen maintaining that the initial glitch may have originated from photovoltaic installations in southwestern Spain.
  2. Aagesen strongly refuted claims that renewable energies are responsible for the outage, labeling such diagnoses as irresponsible and simplistic.
  3. Experts debate the potential imbalance between electricity production and demand in the wake of the blackout, with Aagesen asserting that Spain's energy mix, including renewable sources, has been operationally sound in the past.
  4. Aagesen advocates for increased interconnectivity with France and other European countries as a means to strengthen the resilience of the Iberian system, despite France's environmental concerns regarding new interconnections.
  5. Climate-change policies and renewable-energy regulations are the subject of ongoing debate in the politics and policy-and-legislation sphere, with the industry, environmental-science community, finance sector, and general-news media closely monitoring developments.
  6. As the electrical system's complexity is gradually unraveled following the power outage, the implications for Spain's energy independence and future cybersecurity measures are under scrutiny.
  7. The European Commission is collaborating with national authorities and grid operators, such as Spain's Red Eléctrica, to conduct a thorough investigation into the root cause of the blackout, including possible cyberattacks and the role of renewable energies.
  8. Aagesen called for a shared commitment from France and Spain, as well as the rest of Europe, in addressing environmental concerns related to energy infrastructure development, advocating for responsible and sustainable renewable-energy expansion strategies.
Power failure in the Iberian peninsula lasts for nearly a week; Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition suggests it might take multiple days to pinpoint cause, hinting at initial defect potentially stemming from solar power facilities.
After the significant power outage in the Iberian Peninsula, Spain's Minister of Ecological Transition admitted that it may take several days to identify the reason for the failure. He subtly suggested that the initial issue might stem from solar panel installations.

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