No components identified as associated with renewable energy sources, French sources claim
Let's Set the Record Straight:
The recent blackout on the Iberian Peninsula, where wind and solar energy constituted about 70% of electricity production mere moments before the power outage, was somehow downplayed by grid operators as "significant, but far from unheard of." This blase response came after the Spanish power grid suffered a catastrophic failure on April 28, 2025.
The grid operator, in a bid to dispel the plethora of misinformation swirling online, published a Q&A on their site, addressing various baseless claims like fires, adverse weather, and whatnot. They also attempted to play down theories suggesting renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, were to blame.
Blaming the political hounds, grid operators pointed out that in previous blackouts, problems often stemmed from the distribution network, not the production plants.
Meanwhile, the French operator hinted that the results of the ongoing investigations at the European level would take time. These investigations aim to determine just how much the high percentage of renewable energy may have contributed to the incident's propagation.
A team of experts, formed by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), will conduct a thorough probe into the incident, as confirmed by the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
According to ACER, European law dictates that the experts have six months to deliver complete conclusions.
Post the blackout, France was able to safely insert up to 2 Gigawatts back into the Spanish grid through their six existing interconnections. Construction is currently underway for a new line in the Bay of Biscay, which, once complete in 2028, will boost the exchange capacity between the two countries from 2.8 to 5 Gigawatts, thereby reducing the electrical isolation of the Iberian Peninsula.
Offering a taste of what's to come, Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, emphasized that France must ensure interconnections remain intact, "whatever happens." She further mentioned the environmental concerns France harbors about installing two new interconnections through the Pyrenees.
RTE, the French operator, expressed their readiness to cooperate with their Spanish and Portuguese counterparts, but underscored the importance of reinforcing the French grid simultaneously to ensure the long-term safety of interconnections.
FYI: There seems to be a discrepancy in the provided article—the blackout mentioned occurred on April 28, 2025, not 2022 as stated. The investigation into the causes of the outage continues, with preliminary expert assessments highlighting potential issues with the grid's design, operational failures, and the impact of extreme weather on the power system.
- The recent blackout on the Iberian Peninsula, which occurred on April 28, 2025, involved renewable energy sources like wind and solar constituting approximately 70% of electricity production moments before the power outage.
- The grid operator, despite trying to dispel misinformation, has been under scrutiny for playing down theories suggesting renewable energy sources were to blame for the blackout.
- The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
- The Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, underscored the importance of maintaining the interconnections between countries, particularly between Spain, France, and Portugal, in light of the blackout.
- The ongoing investigation aims to determine just how much the high percentage of renewable energy may have contributed to the incident's propagation, which could have implications for the renewable energy industry and the environment.
- Finance is an essential aspect of the investigation and potential solutions, as the construction of a new interconnection line in the Bay of Biscay is underway to boost the exchange capacity between Spain and France, contributing to the fight against climate-change and the future of renewable energy.
