Blackout in Spain – Renewable Energies, Once Again the Victim of a Fallacy

30 April 2025 - Antonio C. Jiménez Abraham

After the recent blackout, which took Spain back to the Middle Ages for a day, the persons responsible for our electricity system are acting very humanely: they are looking for someone to blame. And it was the turn of renewable energies.

According to Red Eléctrica de España, 56% of the demand was covered by electricity from renewable sources in 2024. This is good for reducing the carbon footprint but requires management by the operator of the Spanish electricity grid Red Eléctrica de España.

Legislation grants the grid operator extensive powers to intervene in the installation and commissioning of renewable energy installations, and its intervention is required at every step before permits and licenses can be granted. Consequently, Red Eléctrica de España is also authorised to prevent new installations or their subsequent connection to the grid if they do not comply with all legal and technical protocols. Furthermore, it may disconnect these installations from the grid at any time if there is a risk to the grid. For the first time, the legislator has anticipated the problem and provided the means to prevent the blackout.

Neither technology (it is good to reduce the carbon footprint and the price of electricity by using natural sources) nor legislation (which provides means for these cases) are to blame for the blackout. Both are important tools on the way to a more sustainable future with a lower carbon footprint. The real responsibility lies with those who manage our electricity system. They must not only ensure compliance with the established protocols, but also be able to anticipate and prevent situations that jeopardise the stability of the power supply.