Portugal Highlights Risk of Future Blackouts Due to Grid Management
Lisbon, Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
Portugal’s energy minister warns of grid management problems potentially causing future blackouts, highlighting the April 28 incident with Spain as a case of such vulnerabilities.
April 28 Blackout Reveals Vulnerabilities
The warning from Portugal’s energy minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho, comes in the wake of a serious blackout that occurred on April 28, 2025. This blackout affected both Spain and Portugal, shining a light on the potential weaknesses within the grid infrastructures of the Iberian Peninsula. Carvalho emphasized that the causes were rooted in grid management issues rather than the integration of renewable energy sources [1][2].
Portugal-Spain Collaboration
Following this incident, Portugal and Spain initiated collaborative efforts to thoroughly investigate the blackout. Both nations are working with their respective grid operators, Spain’s Red Eléctrica and Portugal’s Redes Eléctricas Nacionais (REN). An independent audit by the European Commission is also underway, with findings expected in six months [1]. This collaboration underlines the interconnected nature of the Iberian electrical grid and the need for coordinated approaches to strengthen resilience [2].
Solutions and Future Measures
With the grid management problems identified, Carvalho and her Spanish counterpart, Sara Aagesen Muñoz, are advocating for accelerated EU interconnection projects, particularly with France. This would potentially alleviate the pressure on the Iberian grid by facilitating more robust continental connectivity. Additionally, Portugal has increased its capacity to manage blackouts by expanding its blackstart facilities from two to four, enhancing its ability to recover quickly from power outages [1][3].
Strategic Investments and Grid Stability
In response to the blackout, there is a renewed call for strategic investments in grid infrastructure to prevent similar events in the future. The Portuguese government is considering new energy connections, including potential exchanges with Morocco, to further diversify and stabilize its energy supply [1][3]. The discussions around these investments highlight the urgency for a modern, resilient grid that can handle the growing demands and integration of renewable energy sources [4].