Overview

• On May 5, 2025, a rapid loss of 15 GW of solar power in southwestern Spain destabilized the grid, causing widespread outages across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France.
• Investigations confirmed the blackout was not caused by sabotage but by grid instability due to outdated infrastructure and insufficient storage capacity.
• Spain and Portugal, leaders in renewable energy adoption, were sourcing 75% to 80% of their electricity from wind and solar at the time of the outage.
• Energy experts emphasize the need for large-scale battery storage, grid-balancing technologies, and stronger cross-border interconnections to prevent future failures.
• The blackout resulted in human casualties, including deaths from generator misuse and a candle fire, underscoring the societal risks of grid instability.