Investigating the Causes of Spain's April 28 Blackout: A Clash of Responsibilities
On Wednesday, Beatriz Corredor, the non-executive president of Redeia, voiced strong criticisms against electric companies for their failure to provide complete and satisfactory information to its subsidiary, Red Eléctrica. This was particularly crucial in the wake of the catastrophic blackout that affected the peninsula on April 28. Corredor's statements came as government officials pointed fingers at both Red Eléctrica and the electric companies as potential contributors to the blackout's causes.
During a press conference, Corredor expressed her concerns regarding the quality and completeness of the data that Red Eléctrica has been receiving from third parties. "I can assure you that not all the information received from these third parties has had the desired quality nor has it been as complete as necessary," she stated.
Corredor clarified that Red Eléctrica, as the system operator, does not have control over distribution networks like the territorial monopolies managed by electrical distributors, nor does it oversee private networks or the control centers scattered throughout Spain. She pointed out that Red Eléctrica operates by utilizing programs from the Iberian Energy Market Operator (OMIE), which reflects the economic agreements between electricity buyers and sellers for each hour of the day.
With these programs established, Red Eléctrica's task is to ensure compatibility with physical realities, adhering to strict safety criteria. This responsibility encompasses managing adjustment services, including balancing services and addressing technical restrictions. Corredor emphasized that their intervention in these processes should be minimal, cost-effective, and entirely justified. Furthermore, she reiterated that Red Eléctrica does not engage in electricity production, marketing, or pricing, nor does it profit from the electricity it transports.
Corredor described Red Eléctrica's operations as a strategic public service vital for maintaining balance in the electricity system. Her comments emerged following the analysis committee instituted by the government, which released its findings on the blackout. The report indicated a lack of dynamic voltage control capacity within the system but stopped short of determining whether the responsibility lay with Red Eléctrica, the power plant operators, or both.
Secretary of State for Energy Joan Groizard noted that there was insufficient capacity for dynamic voltage control at the time of the blackout, which could have been attributed to inadequate programming of plants—an oversight possibly linked to Red Eléctrica—or deficiencies in the outputs from the connected plants, which falls within the purview of the energy companies.
Minister of Energy Transition, Sara Aagesen, underscored the findings of the investigation, revealing that both Red Eléctrica and energy-generating companies were implicated. She pointed out inconsistencies and incomplete data that have yet to be fully shared with the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) for deeper analysis.
The government's conclusion on the blackout described it as resulting from multiple factors, pointing to the complexity involved in the energy distribution and regulation processes. As the investigation continues, the shared responsibility for the incident highlights the intricate nature of Spain’s power network and the critical need for clarity and cooperation concerning operational protocols among all entities involved.
Related Sources: