After almost two weeks from Blackout, which for many hours deprived the Spaniards and Portuguese electricity, his reasons remain unexplained. On Wednesday, the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke about the crisis in the parliament. Although it is known about the “anomalies series” in the power system, explaining their original cause is still going on.
In the speech, Sanchez referred to the hypotheses appearing in the media that it was renewable energy sources that caused the crisis, as well as votes from the opposition, according to which Spain should focus more on atomic energy.
The opposite of the series
On April 28, just afternoon, most of the energy production came out of the Spanish electricity system. Spain resulted in Portugal, whose system is strongly associated with Spanish. Restoring work lasted many hours. Throughout the Monday afternoon, both countries were largely devoid of electricity, trains, the subway, were closed, schools were closed.
The prime minister said in parliament that it is now known that “exactly at 12:33 there was a series of anomalies, which in just a few seconds destabilized the electrical system.” – Preliminary technical information tells us that disturbances were first registered in southern Spain. A few seconds later, two more appeared, this time in the southwestern part of the country – he said. The system withstood the first disturbance, but after the next there was a cascading failure.
What was the cause of interference? This is still unknown. The government commissioned the power grid operator and companies from the sector to conduct a “thorough analysis”, and a special committee was also established. A separate report is to be built in Brussels. The Prime Minister emphasized that millions of data are to be analyzed and “we will not draw hasty conclusions”.
Sanchez convinced parliamentarians and citizens that despite the failure, the system showed immunity anyway. First of all, security avoids permanent infrastructure damage that would make a failure much more difficult to repair. Secondly – as the prime minister claimed, Spain, with the help of neighbors, she coped very well with the extremely difficult operation to restore the network from scratch. He also praised the service and society for the reaction to Blackout. He emphasized that security systems worked and, for example, there was no power in hospitals, the air and sea traffic was working without major interference
– In Netflix series and science fiction shows us that Blackout is enough for social order to break down. This may be true in other countries, but fortunately it did not occur in Spain. It happened on the contrary. The Spaniards gave the best of themselves – he said.
“There is no evidence” for the role of renewable energy
Although the Spanish authorities emphasize that the causes of Blackout are unknown, many hypotheses appeared in the network in less than two weeks: from meteorological causes to the hypothetical role of renewable energy sources. However, Monday, April 28, was not unique in terms of weather or renewable energy production. Spain has periods when there were more renewable energy production, even 100 percent. during the day.
The prime minister ordered citizens to approach those who “say that it was about renewable energy sources, or that it was about nuclear energy. Because it is not like that.”
– There is no empirical evidence that the incident was caused by excess renewable energy or a shortage of nuclear power plants in Spain – he said and added that on April 28 energy production from renewable sources was lower than in previous days.
“Nor for a millimeter”
In a speech, Sanchez argued that renewable energy is not only safe, but also beneficial for the economy, supports the development of industry and reduces energy costs. – That's why I would like to assure you that we won't even give up a millimeter from the energy plan. Renewable energy sources are not only the energy future of our country. This is our only and best option – he said.
In 2023, Spain crossed the 50 percent threshold. production of electricity from renewable energy. By 2030, this level is to increase to 81 percent, and the country will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent. (according to the European goal).
The April Blackout caused a debate on plans to support the energy system on almost exclusively renewable energy sources and not to extend the operation of nuclear power plants – the website describes Politico. Among the politicians and business supporting the Atom Blackout became an argument for promoting this technology. However, the Spanish government does not agree with this.
In 2019, energy companies agreed on the closing schedule that nuclear power plants still operating in Spain. This is to last from 2027 to 2035. This decision is supported by the current government, but – as Sanchez said – if enterprises want to extend the period of the work of nuclear power plants, then the rulers are ready to listen to them.
The Prime Minister argued that nuclear power plants did not prove to be better or more resistant than renewable energy during Blackout. As he said, they were also cut off from the system and it was necessary to stop their work. They were also not useful when restoring the system to work, because they remained in emergency until the next day. The prime minister said that the opposition wants to attach the “extremely anti -atitomic” patch to his government, but its approach is “very rational”. – There is no scientific research that would show that nuclear energy is necessary in Spain. In other countries it may be different, but in Spain the future is energy from hydro, sun, wind and green hydrogen power plants – he said
– This government supports pure energy not because of ideology or unclear economic interests. He does it because he knows that the energy future of Spain must be green, otherwise she will not be at all – he said.