The massive power outage that paralyzed the Iberian Peninsula on April 28 was the result of a calculation error by Spanish power operator REE, according to the official conclusion of a government investigation presented on Tuesday by Energy Minister Sara Aagesen, quoted by "Reuters".
According to authorities, REE failed to turn on enough thermal power plants during peak hours when a sudden voltage spike triggered a chain reaction and led to the massive outage. "The system did not have sufficient capacity for dynamic voltage control", Minister Aagesen said at a briefing in Madrid.
The minister said that REE had relied on the early hours of the day for basic energy activation, without taking into account the risk of load during peak hours. The investigation report, to be published later today, also found that some power plants, which are legally obliged to regulate the voltage in the network, did not fulfill their functions despite receiving funding for this.
The incident caused chaos for hours in major cities in Spain and Portugal - thousands of people were stranded in trains and elevators, and urban traffic was paralyzed.
Minister Aagesen stressed that the power frequency in Europe must be kept stable at 50 hertz - even minor deviations can damage infrastructure and equipment. It is therefore crucial for electricity producers to adapt their production to demand, under the coordination of REE.
The investigation found no evidence of a cyberattack, but highlights the need for stricter control mechanisms and timely management of voltage in the national grid.