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On Monday, April 28, Spain experienced a historic blackout that affected 60% of its electrical grid, equivalent to a decrease of 15 gigawatts in just five seconds. This event not only impacted the Iberian Peninsula but also had repercussions in several regions of southern France.
The precise causes of the blackout have yet to be determined. José Antonio Galdón, dean of the Official College of Graduates, Technical Industrial Engineers, and Industrial Experts of Madrid (COGITIM), suggested that multiple factors may have triggered the failure. “We cannot focus on a specific situation, nor assign it a single cause yet,” stated Galdón.
Such incidents are uncommon in Spain, where historically only isolated blackouts have occurred. Galdón believes this event should serve as an opportunity to reflect on the country’s energy structure, emphasizing that there are significant margins for improvement. “At this moment, there are energy points or needs that cannot be met due to the lack of adequate networks,” he warned.
Galdón emphasizes the urgent need to invest in infrastructure that can support the increasing electrification of consumption. He proposes that a more balanced grid would maximize the use of renewable energy and provide sufficient energy autonomy, integrating alternative sources that can be utilized during crises.
Although the Electric Network has confirmed that the system has returned to normal, there is still uncertainty about the possibility of a similar event occurring again. Galdón highlights the importance of investigating and analyzing the incident to prevent future crises. “We are never exempt from the possibility of a critical situation arising,” he added.
In an electrical collapse like the one that occurred, Galdón explains that it is common for the system to disconnect some loads to restore balance. “Something happened in the system that could not be halted in time, which triggered the cascading protections,” he concluded. With the country still on alert, authorities are determined to implement the necessary measures to prevent a blackout of this magnitude from happening again.
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Referrer: MiMub in Spanish