By Minener Editorial Team | May 23, 2025
Controversy has erupted over the April 28 blackout that left Spain and Portugal in darkness, after British newspaper The Telegraph alleged that the incident was caused by a failed government experiment testing the grid’s resilience to renewable energy dependence.
According to Brussels-based sources cited by the newspaper, Spain’s socialist government, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, was “probing how far they could push renewable energy” ahead of a planned nuclear phase-out starting in 2027. The report claims the test spiraled out of control, resulting in what the paper calls “the worst electrical failure in any developed country in modern times.”
The article harshly criticizes Red Eléctrica, Spain’s grid operator, accusing it of obstructing investigations and highlighting that its current president was politically appointed despite lacking technical experience. The piece also accuses the government of hiding the blackout’s true cause for nearly four weeks, warning that if the accusations are confirmed, Spain’s left-wing coalition could face a generational political blow.
The Spanish government has categorically denied these allegations. Sources from La Moncloa labeled the claims as “false” and criticized their republication in domestic media. The official explanation so far points to a technical fault—possibly a surge or firewall failure—but makes no mention of any experimental activity.
Nevertheless, the EU has taken the matter seriously. Spain has two months to submit a full report to the European Commission, detailing the incident’s causes, impacts, and preventive measures. If deemed serious, a formal technical investigation will be launched, involving independent experts from non-affected EU states.
As the EU prepares to scrutinize the causes behind one of the largest blackouts in recent European history, public confidence remains shaken. If political ambition indeed outpaced technical preparation, the implications could be profound—not just for Spain’s government, but for the entire European renewable transition roadmap.