LISBON — In response to the widespread blackout on April 28 that plunged most of Spain and Portugal into darkness, Portuguese authorities have rolled out a comprehensive plan to fortify the nation's electricity infrastructure. The initiative includes a 137 million euros ($159 million) investment aimed at enhancing the grid's reliability and preparedness for future emergencies.
Key Measures Announced
- Investment in Grid Infrastructure: A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to upgrading the electricity grid to prevent similar incidents.
- Increase in 'Black Start' Power Stations: The number of power stations capable of autonomous restart will double from two to four, ensuring quicker recovery post-outage.
- Solar Panels and Batteries for Critical Infrastructure: Hospitals and other vital facilities will receive 25 million euros ($29 million) in solar panels and batteries to maintain operations during power failures.
The Iberian Blackout Recap
The outage, which lasted from midday until nightfall, caused widespread disruption across both countries, affecting businesses, transit systems, and cellular networks. Spain lost 60% of its electricity supply in just five seconds, with Portugal's interconnected grid also failing. Investigations pointed to a voltage surge in Spain's grid as the culprit, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Looking Ahead
Portuguese officials are also exploring a potential interconnection with Morocco, similar to Spain's existing links, to diversify energy sources and enhance grid stability. An independent EU panel's final report on the blackout is expected in October, promising further insights into the incident and recommendations for preventing future occurrences.
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