A sudden loss of power generation at a substation in Granada, followed by failures shortly after in Badajoz and Seville, resulted in an extraordinary blackout across Spain and Portugal last month, as reported by Spain’s energy minister.
Sara Aagesen informed legislators that the three initial events, the cause of which remains unknown, led to a generation loss of 2.2 gigawatts of electricity, prompting a series of grid disconnections.
Multiple investigations are underway concerning the power outage on April 28, yet this marks the first instance where Spanish authorities have indicated a specific origin.
Determining the cause of the outage will require time, and there will likely be no straightforward answers to what seems to be a complicated issue, Ms. Aagesen noted.
Spain’s energy minister Sara Aagesen addressing parliament regarding the outage’s origin.
A spokesperson for grid operator REE stated that Spain’s primary transmission grid experienced no issues on April 28 prior to the blackout, adding that the power loss “occurred due to factors external” to the grid, likely at generation facilities or within smaller grids not overseen by REE.
The Spanish government’s inquiry is also examining operator reports of volatility in the days leading up to the blackout and is considering excessive voltage as a possible factor in the generation loss, according to Ms. Aagesen.
Investigators, Ms. Aagesen indicated, have ruled out a cyberattack on REE’s grid, as well as an imbalance in supply and demand or inadequate grid capacity.
She also dismissed claims by several opposition politicians suggesting that the government had received and disregarded expert warnings about a potential major blackout, emphasizing that it would be premature to assign responsibility until the specifics of that day are clear.
“There was no alert, no warning,” she stated.
A woman is seen using her phone’s flashlight to walk her dog during the blackout.
Spain’s increasing reliance on renewable energy for electricity generation has faced scrutiny since the blackout, along with its plan to phase out nuclear energy by 2035.
Critics argue that a possible factor contributing to the outage could have been a deficiency in “grid inertia” due to the relatively low percentage of nuclear and fossil fuel generation in Spain’s energy mix.
Ms. Aagesen defended the government’s energy strategy, asserting that renewable sources have reduced costs for households and businesses, enabling Spain to attract further investment while enhancing energy autonomy amidst geopolitical instability.
She stated that Spain’s electricity system continues to incorporate the same level of renewables as it did before and during the outage.
“A mix with more renewables mitigates external risks. It allows us to prepare, adapt to, and respond swiftly to any eventuality,” she remarked.
Ms. Aagesen expressed readiness to consider extending the lifespan of nuclear plants, but only if operators can ensure their safety and provide acceptable prices for consumers, and if this can be demonstrated to enhance supply security.
