Today, ENTSO-E has published its report into the root causes of the Iberian blackout on 28 April 2025, and recommendations to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
“It’s not about renewables, it’s about voltage control… There is nothing in the recommendations that cannot be implemented tomorrow... Voltage control has been known for a long time,” stated ENTSO-E President Damián Cortinas during the presentation of the organisation’s final report.
While we have not had time to fully analyse all findings, the report clearly demonstrates the complexity of running a modern electricity grid and should be used as a moment of learning.
The undersigned Associations have issued the following statement:
The ENTSO-E full report into the root causes of the Iberian Blackout provides greater clarity after months of unhelpful speculation and rumour. We caution against the allocation of blame in the aftermath of any future blackout events.
It is critical that the incident is acknowledged in the correct context. Solar generation has expanded rapidly across Europe. Faster than grid regulation has been able to match. Solar and wind are now the largest source of electricity in the EU¹ and have the technical capabilities to provide voltage stability.
On June 12, 2025, Spain updated Operational Procedure 7.4 to enable renewables to contribute to voltage control. The full implementation of this procedure, was completed on March 17 2026 and will allow for a more robust system that is better prepared to prevent this type of incident.
With the right frameworks in place, solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) can enhance grid stability². Stronger network resilience helps deliver cleaner, cheaper electricity and reduces Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The Iberian blackout must be a moment of learning. It is a reminder of the importance of transparent information flows between system operators, generators and relevant stakeholders. We stand ready to support TSOs and DSOs and all the relevant stakeholders in resolving this challenge for systems at all scales.
The role solar and BESS can play in boosting Europe’s resilience must be recognised.
Banking on homegrown electricity is more crucial than ever given the deepening crisis in the Middle East, and the longer term impact it is likely to have on energy costs. Strengthening Europe's grid and the rules governing our new energy reality is key.
SolarPower Europe, the Spanish PV association (UNEF), the Portuguese Renewables association (APREN), the Global Solar Council (GSC) and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), reiterate our call to accelerate the regulatory updates needed for grid resilience, stability and system flexibility – especially by allowing renewables to provide dynamic voltage control, and facilitating the integration of battery storage and grid-forming inverters.
These technologies are already available and should be procured to further support stable voltage levels, managing variability, and delivering renewable-powered energy security.
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