The massive blackout that struck the Iberian Peninsula on 28 April exposed the vulnerability of the current power infrastructure. Beyond disrupting millions of users, the loss of synchronism with the European grid and the disconnection of up to 15 GW of generation capacity raised concerns across the continent.

During the ‘Maintaining Resilient Electricity Grids and Avoiding Blackouts Expert Media Briefing’, sector leaders agreed that without urgent investment in modern grids, blackouts will cease to be exceptional events and become systemic risks.

“The European electricity grid is the largest machine in the world, and its resilience demands maximum flexibility,” stressed Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council. She pointed out that the Iberian Peninsula has only a 3% interconnection rate, far below the 15% recommended by the European Union, exacerbating the blackout’s impact.

Record Investment or Systemic Risk

Elena Pravettoni, Head of Analysis at the Energy Transition Commission, presented a sobering outlook: global investment in grid infrastructure must surge to over $800 billion annually by the 2030s, more than double the current investment levels. Without this, she warned, the ambitious goals of the energy transition will falter under the weight of outdated infrastructure incapable of integrating growing volumes of renewable generation.

Pravettoni also underlined that the total length of power grids worldwide will need to increase from 73 million kilometres today to between 150 and 200 million kilometres by 2050, a figure equivalent to 1.1 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun. This expansion is necessary not only to connect new sources of generation but also to support the electrification of industries, transport, and heating sectors, all critical to achieving net-zero targets.

“Flexibility is resilience,” added Dunlop, stressing that beyond physical infrastructure, modern grids require advanced digital solutions. Technologies such as dynamic line rating, demand-side response platforms, artificial intelligence for grid visibility, and fast frequency response systems are no longer optional but essential.

According to Dunlop, fully deploying these solutions could reduce the need for physical grid expansion by up to 35%, delivering significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Are Renewables to Blame?

While critics were quick to point to high levels of renewable penetration as a contributing factor, experts firmly rejected this narrative. Luis Badesa, Professor at the Technical University of Madrid, clarified: “There is no conclusive data linking the disconnection of generation assets to renewables. The critical issue is strengthening the grid and equipping it with the technologies required to maintain stability.”

Far from exacerbating the crisis, renewables provided critical support during the blackout. “The most advanced solar inverters were supporting grid frequency right up until the final moments,” explained Dunlop.

Unlike conventional power plants, which can take several minutes to ramp up, modern solar inverters can respond to grid frequency changes in just 150 microseconds, providing crucial stabilisation during volatile events.

An Opportunity to Lead Grid Modernisation

Mike Hogan, Senior Advisor at the Regulatory Assistance Project, drew a crucial distinction between resilience and reliability. “Resilience is the system’s ability to withstand major disruptions and recover quickly. The Iberian blackout was a resilience failure, not a question of reliability,” he asserted.

Spain currently operates with only 60 megawatts of installed battery storage capacity, an alarmingly low figure compared to the 11,000 megawatts in Texas, a grid that similarly operates with limited external interconnections.

This storage deficit undermines the system’s ability to absorb shocks and manage fluctuations in renewable generation effectively.

Global best practices demonstrate the value of proactive investment. The United Kingdom, for instance, has successfully introduced market mechanisms to incentivise battery storage and fast frequency response services.

Germany’s Tenant Electricity Programme has enabled wider adoption of rooftop solar and decentralised generation, reducing grid strain and empowering consumers.

Pravettoni closed the session by emphasising a clear strategic roadmap: “Technology, markets, and cooperation are the three pillars of a resilient energy future. We know what needs to be done—now it is a question of delivering at the scale and pace that the energy transition demands.”