In a dramatic twist on April 28, Spain experienced a nationwide blackout that left the country in the dark – and not just Spain. Portugal and parts of southwest France were also hit, sparking urgent investigations into the unexpected power outage.
Environment Minister Sara Aagesen told El Pais that the government needs several more days to determine the root cause. Officials are examining every possibility, including the potential of a cyberattack, while also investigating whether a halt in solar panel output in southeast Spain disrupted the grid. Aagesen noted, "We know that those installations stopped working in the system," yet cautioned that blaming solar panels too quickly would be "irresponsible and simplistic."
The blackout not only cut electricity but also knocked out mobile phone and internet connections, paralyzed the rail network, and even trapped hundreds of people in lifts. Experts are questioning whether the delicate balance between supply and demand was upset by sudden fluctuations in renewable energy sources like wind or solar power.
Aagesen emphasized that renewables have long been a cornerstone of Spain's energy mix, helping the country achieve a high degree of energy independence, especially in a geopolitically vulnerable world. Previous instances of higher solar generation with lower demand had not troubled the system, leaving investigators to consider a wide range of hypotheses.
Stay tuned as the investigation continues – this blackout is a stark reminder of the challenges and complexities of modern energy grids. ⚡
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More days needed to identify Spain's blackout origin, says government
cgtn.com
