The prestigious American newspaper Wall Street Journal has once again put the international spotlight on Spain's energy management, following the blackout that left a large part of the Iberian Peninsula without electricity at the end of April. The newspaper directly links the incidence to the high presence of renewables in the Spanish electricity system, especially solar and wind energy, sparking an intense debate about the reliability and future of the energy transition in our country. The information, based on an opinion piece by Professor Bjørn Lomborg, has sparked mixed reactions among experts and government officials.
On April 28, a large-scale blackout affected not only Spain, but also Portugal and border areas of France and Andorra. Various international and national media outlets linked this event with the strategy to reduce nuclear power plants and advance renewablesAccording to The Wall Street Journal, the Spanish model, based on increasing the share of renewable generation, poses technical challenges associated with the stability of the electricity grid.
The debate on the reliability of renewables
In the American publication, it is argued that the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy increases the chances of the electrical system collapsing, especially when there are not enough backup technologies. It is argued that to maintain network stability It is essential to have duplicate systems, usually based on fossil sources, capable of making up for the lack of sun or wind. This need involves investments of billions of euros. to adapt the infrastructure to new requirements.
Professor Lomborg details that At the time of the blackout, renewables accounted for approximately 74% of the Iberian energy mix., with solar energy leading the way. He points out that grids must maintain a stable frequency to avoid incidents and that, without adequate technological resources, the national grid becomes more vulnerable. Countries like Germany, where the commitment to environmental sustainability is high, would already be suffering from higher electricity prices than those in the United States or China, in part due to the need for renewable energy support systems.
Another issue raised by the article and repeated in international media is the gradual elimination of nuclear energy in Spain. Critics say the peninsula is at risk of being exposed to similar blackouts. if dependence on unstable sources continues to increase such as photovoltaic and wind power without strengthening the grid and without parallel investments in advanced technologies.
Government and electricity operators reject the accusations
The president of Red Eléctrica, Beatriz Corredor, has stressed in recent interviews that there is no excess of renewables on the grid and that Spain has a system in place to manage these peaks. The Spanish government's response has been emphatic: "there is no empirical evidence" that the blackout was caused by renewable penetration, thus defending the commitment to energy transition and denying the direct relationship suggested by The Wall Street Journal.
In the debate there is also no shortage of calls to continue betting on a further research into reliable and affordable green technologies, such as advanced inverters or synthetic inertia. Lomborg and other experts emphasize the importance of strengthening the grid and prioritizing energy security to prevent similar events from happening again in the future.
Impact on consumers and international debate
The cost of electricity and the risks to supply stability are issues of concern to both domestic and business users. Spanish consumers could be affected by price increases and increased risks of power outages. if the necessary reforms to the electricity grid are not undertaken. These arguments are fueling a public debate across Europe about the best way to implement decarbonization policies without jeopardizing the reliability of the electricity supply.
Meanwhile, international experts and media outlets such as The Telegraph continue to analyze the Spanish model and its impact within the global context of the energy transition. The discussion focuses on how to balance the climate urgency with the need to maintain robust infrastructure., which allow guaranteeing supply under any circumstances.
Spain's energy management continues to be a central issue on the international political and media agenda, marked by the controversy surrounding the blackout and criticism of renewable energy policy. Technological modernization, investment in infrastructure, and a balance between innovation and security will be decisive for the future of the energy system..
