SPAIN BLACKOUT: RED ELÉCTRICA AND ENERGY COMPANIES CLASH OVER BLAME

On Tuesday, Red Eléctrica, Spain's grid operator, broke its silence on the blackout that affected a large part of Spain on April 28. According to the utility, the primary responsibility lies with the generating plants that "failed to comply with the obligation to participate in voltage control," as stated by non-executive chairwoman Beatriz Corredor.

The accusation is stark: the energy companies allegedly provided incomplete and unreliable information, hindering internal investigations. Concha Sánchez, Red Eléctrica's general director, corroborated this claim, calling the blackout "avoidable" if the plants had reacted correctly.

Sánchez explained that the critical point was an oscillation that occurred in a photovoltaic plant in Badajoz, whose operator has yet to provide an explanation. From there, a series of anomalous disconnections from other plants in southern Spain triggered a domino effect, culminating in the widespread blackout.

However, the energy companies aren't backing down. The Association of Electricity Companies (Aelec) has countered the accusations, asserting that Red Eléctrica managed the system with "limited synchronous capacity" and an "unbalanced geographical distribution," even going beyond regulatory provisions to stabilize the grid.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), the Spanish government, and even the courts are assessing responsibilities and potential sanctions. Both sides, however, agree on one thing: urgent measures are needed to prevent future blackouts. Among the proposals are improved monitoring of the electrical system and more effective voltage control.

OCU Demands Compensation for Affected Users

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has also weighed in, criticizing the delay in official explanations and the absence of any form of compensation for affected citizens.

According to the OCU, the report released on Tuesday by Red Eléctrica and the authorities lacks legal weight, making it difficult for households and small businesses to seek justice. Many suffered direct damages, including food spoilage, broken appliances, and unexpected expenses.

For this reason, the organization has launched a public campaign demanding clarity, transparency, and compensation. "We cannot allow citizens to pay the price for an unstable electrical grid and responsibilities that are still far from clear," the OCU stated in a press release.