Connection

popular articles

TotalEnergies targets production of 220,000 barrels/day in Suriname
Nigeria aims for a 140% increase with Seplat Energy
TAQA and EWEC commit to 1 GW open-cycle gas power plant in Al Dhafra
Adani Green Energy commissions 250 MW solar plant in Rajasthan
Supermajors Vie for Stake in Galp’s Massive Mopane Oil Discovery in Namibia

Spain investigates blackout that removed 15 GW in five seconds

Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
  • [favorite_button]

Please share:

Spain’s competition authority, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), has opened an independent investigation into the massive power outage that occurred on April 28, its president Cani Fernández announced before the Congress of Deputies. The failure impacted both Spain and Portugal, causing large-scale disruption with no clear cause identified to date.

An unprecedented incident

According to official estimates, around 60% of Spain’s electricity consumption was interrupted during the event, representing nearly 15 gigawatts of lost power in just five seconds. Spain’s electricity transmission system operator, Red Eléctrica de España (REE), confirmed the scale of the outage, which quickly triggered a domino effect across the Iberian Peninsula.

The CNMC stated that it has started collecting technical data from sector operators to understand both the root causes and the system restoration process. Cani Fernández indicated that the analysis will also focus on whether specific errors occurred during the grid reboot phase.

Multiple investigations underway

This move adds to inquiries already initiated by several institutions. Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition opened a probe the day after the outage, as did the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). The Spanish judiciary has also launched legal proceedings to assess the possibility of a cyber sabotage.

Several technical hypotheses are being considered, including an imbalance linked to excessive solar energy production. On April 28, photovoltaic output was indeed high but did not exceed peak levels recorded on previous days. Cani Fernández urged caution in drawing conclusions, noting that the exact cause of the incident remains undetermined.

Sector still facing uncertainty

Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen stated that “all hypotheses remain open”, underlining the complexity of the ongoing investigations. Speaking to El Diario, she acknowledged that the technical procedures involved are lengthy and require close coordination among multiple national and European institutions.

As an independent regulator, the CNMC aims to offer a complementary technical analysis, highlighting its ability to provide unbiased data. “The CNMC operates on a different level from other actors,” Cani Fernández reminded lawmakers, confirming that formal data requests had already been sent to the energy companies involved.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Latest news

New Mexico launches public investment plan to produce 163 GW of geothermal energy
CGC launches Vaca Muerta project and bets on heavy crude
Emissions expected to surge in Texas with 130 gas plant projects
Turbotech validates hydrogen turboprop using Ansys simulation
Brussels increases pressure on states to guarantee affordable energy

Recently published in

Brussels increases pressure on states to guarantee affordable energy

At a conference held on June 11, Brussels reaffirmed its goal to reduce energy costs for households and businesses by relying on targeted investments and greater consumer involvement.
Brussels seeks to accelerate permitting for renewable energy projects
The European Commission held a high-level dialogue to identify administrative obstacles delaying renewable energy and energy infrastructure projects across the European Union.
en_1140290945540
Brussels seeks to accelerate permitting for renewable energy projects
The European Commission held a high-level dialogue to identify administrative obstacles delaying renewable energy and energy infrastructure projects across the European Union.
en_1140290945540
Liberia mobilises $300mn for its power grid but still faces a 51.8% supply gap
Despite increased generation capacity and lower tariffs, Liberia continues to rely on electricity imports to meet growing demand, particularly during the dry season.
en_1140290951540
Liberia mobilises $300mn for its power grid but still faces a 51.8% supply gap
Despite increased generation capacity and lower tariffs, Liberia continues to rely on electricity imports to meet growing demand, particularly during the dry season.
en_1140290951540
Lee Jae-myung could slow nuclear expansion in South Korea
South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, is reviewing the national energy policy, aiming to rebalance nuclear regulations without immediately shutting down reactors currently in operation.
en_1140290991540
Lee Jae-myung could slow nuclear expansion in South Korea
South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, is reviewing the national energy policy, aiming to rebalance nuclear regulations without immediately shutting down reactors currently in operation.
en_1140290991540

CRE adopts 237 decisions and targets grid adaptation by 2028

The French Energy Regulatory Commission released its 2024 annual report, highlighting sustained activity on grid infrastructure, pricing, and evolving European regulatory frameworks.
Washington significantly reduces penalties imposed on foreign LNG tankers and vehicle carriers
The United States is easing proposed penalties for foreign LNG tankers and vehicle carriers, sharply reducing initial costs for international operators while maintaining strategic support objectives for the American merchant marine.
en_1140290962540
Washington significantly reduces penalties imposed on foreign LNG tankers and vehicle carriers
The United States is easing proposed penalties for foreign LNG tankers and vehicle carriers, sharply reducing initial costs for international operators while maintaining strategic support objectives for the American merchant marine.
en_1140290962540
Africa captures only 2% of global clean energy investment in 2025
While capital is flowing into clean technologies globally, Africa remains marginalised, receiving only a fraction of the expected flows, according to the International Energy Agency.
en_1140290961540
Africa captures only 2% of global clean energy investment in 2025
While capital is flowing into clean technologies globally, Africa remains marginalised, receiving only a fraction of the expected flows, according to the International Energy Agency.
en_1140290961540
Mexico targets up to $9bn in private investment for renewable energy
The Mexican government aims to mobilise up to $9bn in private investment by 2030, but the lack of a clear commercial framework raises doubts within the industry.
en_1140290958540
Mexico targets up to $9bn in private investment for renewable energy
The Mexican government aims to mobilise up to $9bn in private investment by 2030, but the lack of a clear commercial framework raises doubts within the industry.
en_1140290958540

United States cancels fuel economy standards set by Biden

The U.S. Department of Transportation is withdrawing strict fuel economy standards adopted under Biden, citing overreach in legal authority regarding the integration of electric vehicles into regulatory calculations for automakers.
Renewable energies accounted for 33.9% of electricity consumption in France in 2024
In 2024, renewable energies covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France, driven by increased hydropower output and solar capacity expansion.
en_1140290978540
Renewable energies accounted for 33.9% of electricity consumption in France in 2024
In 2024, renewable energies covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France, driven by increased hydropower output and solar capacity expansion.
en_1140290978540
The CRE unveils its strategic guidelines for 2030
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced its strategic guidelines for 2030, focusing on the energy transition, European competitiveness and consumer needs.
en_1140290997540
The CRE unveils its strategic guidelines for 2030
The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced its strategic guidelines for 2030, focusing on the energy transition, European competitiveness and consumer needs.
en_1140290997540
Spain settles $26.8 million debt in international energy dispute
Madrid paid an arbitration award to Blasket Renewable Investments after more than ten years of litigation related to the withdrawal of tax advantages for renewable energy investors.
en_1140290983540
Spain settles $26.8 million debt in international energy dispute
Madrid paid an arbitration award to Blasket Renewable Investments after more than ten years of litigation related to the withdrawal of tax advantages for renewable energy investors.
en_1140290983540

The renewable energy market reaches $1,200 billion in 2024

The global renewable energy market continues to grow, reaching $1,200 billion in 2024, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), supported by investments in solar and wind energy.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cooperative secures $3.43mn to modernise electrical grid
The Québec government is granting $3.43mn to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Electric Cooperative to deploy smart meters and upgrade infrastructure across 16 municipalities.
en_1140290955540-3
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cooperative secures $3.43mn to modernise electrical grid
The Québec government is granting $3.43mn to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Electric Cooperative to deploy smart meters and upgrade infrastructure across 16 municipalities.
en_1140290955540-3
Tariff increases slow down energy projects in the United States
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
en_1140290960540-3
Tariff increases slow down energy projects in the United States
New US tariff measures are driving up energy sector costs, with a particularly strong impact on storage and solar, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie.
en_1140290960540-3
Europe Faces Critical Stagnation in Climate and Environmental Investments
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
en_1140290944540-3
Europe Faces Critical Stagnation in Climate and Environmental Investments
Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.
en_1140290944540-3

African Debt: Why Investors Must Anticipate Immediate Climate Impacts

African countries now spend more on debt service than on education and healthcare, limiting essential investments despite significant energy potential. The G20, under pressure, struggles to provide an adequate response to the financial and climate challenges.
Egypt authorises four private producers to supply 400 MW of electricity to industrial clients
Four renewable energy producers have been authorised to sell 400 MW directly to Egyptian industrial companies without public support.
en_1140290948540-2
Egypt authorises four private producers to supply 400 MW of electricity to industrial clients
Four renewable energy producers have been authorised to sell 400 MW directly to Egyptian industrial companies without public support.
en_1140290948540-2
Up to 30% of ASEAN data centres could be powered without batteries by 2030
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
en_1140290960540-2
Up to 30% of ASEAN data centres could be powered without batteries by 2030
A report by Ember shows ASEAN could supply nearly one-third of its data centres with wind and solar power by 2030 without storage, provided appropriate public policies are implemented.
en_1140290960540-2
Madrid rejects claims of experiment linked to nationwide power outage
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
en_1140290951540-16
Madrid rejects claims of experiment linked to nationwide power outage
Spanish authorities and grid operator REE denied conducting any experiment on the national electricity network prior to the massive outage on April 28, the cause of which remains unknown.
en_1140290951540-16

The European Union moves closer to 2030 energy targets, says Brussels

The European Commission states the Union is on track to cut emissions by 54% by 2030, following updated national plans.
South Korea Launches Tenders for 2.25 GW of Renewable Energy
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
en_1140290960540-14
South Korea Launches Tenders for 2.25 GW of Renewable Energy
South Korea announces two major tenders totaling 2.25 GW, split between offshore wind and solar, introducing new economic and technical criteria designed to strengthen energy security and attract international investors.
en_1140290960540-14
Ember forecasts solar and wind could power 30% of ASEAN data centres
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
en_1140290952540-14
Ember forecasts solar and wind could power 30% of ASEAN data centres
Ember anticipates that a third of ASEAN data centre electricity demand could be met by wind and solar by 2030, without batteries, if appropriate political measures are implemented.
en_1140290952540-14
India steps up energy strategy as electricity demand set to triple
A Rocky Mountain Institute report reveals India’s energy ambition, with electricity demand potentially tripling by 2050, backed by an industrial policy focused on renewable energy.
en_1140290956540-14
India steps up energy strategy as electricity demand set to triple
A Rocky Mountain Institute report reveals India’s energy ambition, with electricity demand potentially tripling by 2050, backed by an industrial policy focused on renewable energy.
en_1140290956540-14

Advertising

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

VERVANT

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS