Spanish authorities have announced that determining the root cause of the unprecedented nationwide power outage on April 28 will require "several more days" of investigation. The blackout, which also disrupted electricity in Portugal and parts of southwest France, triggered widespread transportation halts, communication failures, and emergency responses to trapped individuals.
Environment Minister Sara Aagesen emphasized in an interview with El País that cybersecurity risks, grid imbalances, and renewable energy fluctuations are all under scrutiny. While Spain's grid operator initially pointed to solar panel installations in southeastern Spain as a potential contributor, Aagesen cautioned against "irresponsible and simplistic" conclusions blaming renewables.
"Spain has managed renewable energy integration for decades," she noted, referencing days with higher solar generation and stable grid performance. The minister highlighted renewables' role in bolstering Spain's energy independence amid global uncertainties.
Experts continue to analyze whether sudden supply-demand mismatches—such as rapid shifts in wind or solar output—could have destabilized the grid. The incident has reignited debates about Europe's energy infrastructure resilience as nations accelerate green transitions.
