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ECFR | English | AcademicThink | May 9, 2025 | Critical Infrastructure Failure

In April 2025, a significant power outage affected millions in Spain and Portugal, lasting nearly 24 hours and highlighting critical weaknesses in the EU's energy infrastructure. As the EU shifts towards a cleaner energy mix, much of its electricity grid remains outdated, with approximately 40% being over 40 years old. This aging infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle the increasing share of renewable energy, raising the risk of serious system failures.

To address these vulnerabilities, urgent investment is needed in the modernization and expansion of energy grids, particularly cross-border interconnectors. Current bottlenecks limit the ability of national and European transmission system operators to respond effectively to localized disruptions. A priority should be funding the construction of functional interconnectors to facilitate real-time energy transmission.

Additionally, the EU must develop stabilizing systems to support the rapid growth of renewable energy. This includes investing in energy storage technologies like lithium-ion batteries and pumped storage plants. Effective energy storage solutions can mitigate the risk of sudden power outages. Moreover, accelerating the digitalization of energy systems with smart grids, AI-based forecasting, and smart meters will enhance responsiveness to various threats, including cybersecurity and grid instability.

Preliminary investigations into the April outage suggest a mix of factors including a sudden drop in energy production in southwestern Spain, particularly from solar and nuclear sources. Frequency fluctuations between the Iberian grid and the continental network contributed to the issue, leading to a drastic reduction in generation capacity. Although renewable sources did not directly cause the outage, their significant presence, alongside insufficient stabilization systems, may have heightened grid vulnerability.