Portugal’s recent blackout, which affected both Spain and Portugal in April, highlighted the urgent need for modernizing European electricity grids to accommodate increasing renewable energy generation. Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho emphasized that the outage revealed vulnerabilities in the current grid infrastructure, which is struggling to manage the fluctuating outputs from renewable sources like wind and solar.
Unlike traditional thermal power plants, which provide a stable supply of electricity, renewable sources introduce variability that complicates grid management. Carvalho stated, ‘The blackout made it clear there is a need for greater modernization and digitalization of the grids, as well as the application of data science to improve system management.’ This modernization requires substantial investment, and Portugal is calling on the European Union to assist in funding these upgrades.
The European Commission has estimated that EU nations will need to invest approximately 584 billion euros ($679 billion) by 2030 to expand and modernize electricity grids to meet clean energy transition targets. To gather input for the upcoming European Grids Package, the Commission initiated a public consultation process in May. This package is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.
Following the blackout on April 28, both Spain and Portugal faced significant disruptions. The Spanish government reported that the grid operator Redeia miscalculated the energy mix, which contributed to voltage instability. This instability triggered a series of disconnections among power plants, ultimately leading to widespread outages.
Carvalho noted that the current report from Spain remains unclear, and Portugal is awaiting an independent investigation from the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) to determine the exact causes of the blackout and the necessary measures to prevent future occurrences. Ensuring grid reliability is not only a matter of efficiency but also crucial for energy security in the region.
