“The initial assessment from the panel of experts on the blackout in Spain and Portugal, published today by ENTSO-E [European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity], conveys a clear message: this was an unprecedented event. An unusual incident that highlights that the European energy system faces new challenges,” stated Dan Jørgensen.
On the day the first evaluation from European technicians on the incident from April 28 was released, the European Commissioner emphasized: “We must learn together from this experience and act decisively to prevent similar incidents.”
The commissioner assured that “the European Commission is already working on a review of the EU’s energy security framework to ensure that systems are prepared for the future.”
“Our lifestyle and economic prosperity depend on an energy system that is not only cleaner and more efficient but also safe, reliable, and resilient,” he concluded.
The Iberian blackout of April 28 was caused by a series of sudden disconnections of renewable production and subsequent loss of synchronization with the continental European grid, according to the panel of experts investigating the incident.
A widespread electricity supply outage left mainland Portugal, Spain, and Andorra virtually without power, as well as parts of France on that day.
