Spain’s Grid Operator Chair Defends Against ‘Misinformation’ After Mass Blackout
Madrid – Beatriz Corredor, chair of Spain’s electricity grid operator Redeia, faced intense scrutiny and an impromptu shareholder vote on her removal following a massive power outage that plunged Spain and Portugal into darkness on April 28, 2025. Despite the pressure, Corredor survived the vote, attributing the blackout to power-generating companies and vehemently denying Redeia’s responsibility. The tense shareholder meeting saw Corredor pledge record investment in the grid while simultaneously rejecting calls to set aside provisions for potential blackout-related costs. She defended Redeia’s adherence to established rules and procedures but acknowledged the damage the incident inflicted on the company’s reputation. Corredor committed to defending Redeia against what she described as "unfounded, and sometimes very serious, accusations seeking to undermine our reputation."
The widespread blackout, which lasted nearly 23 hours, brought life to a standstill across the Iberian Peninsula. Traffic lights went dark, street lamps flickered out, payment terminals malfunctioned, and screens went blank. The disruption extended to transportation networks, with metro systems halting and communication networks faltering. Airports across Spain and Portugal reported hundreds of flight cancellations, adding to the chaos. The outage’s impact reverberated through daily life, leaving citizens questioning the reliability of their power infrastructure and demanding answers.
Corredor’s defense centered on refuting what she termed "numerous episodes of misinformation" that intensified public scrutiny of Redeia. A government report, however, pointed to Redeia’s miscalculation of the energy mix as a contributing factor to the grid’s inability to handle a voltage surge, the ultimate trigger for the outage. This finding contradicted Corredor’s narrative and fueled criticism from energy firms, analysts, and politicians who have long advocated for increased investment in Spain’s aging power grids. Large energy companies also raised concerns about the management of the power link with France, further complicating the situation for Redeia.
Responding to the mounting pressure, Corredor, alongside CEO Roberto Garcia Merino, defended Redeia’s actions leading up to and during the blackout. They emphasized the company’s planning of power sources for voltage control and its management of the French interconnector. This defense, coupled with the promise of unprecedented investment in the grid, appeared to sway shareholders, who ultimately voted to retain Corredor as chair. While specifics on the investment plan remain undisclosed, Garcia Merino indicated that investments have been steadily increasing and are projected to exceed €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in 2025.
The blackout exposed vulnerabilities in Spain’s power infrastructure and sparked a broader debate about the need for modernization and increased investment. While Redeia pledges to bolster the grid, critics argue that more fundamental reforms are necessary to prevent future outages. The incident also highlighted the interconnectedness of Spain and Portugal’s power systems and raised questions about the coordination and resilience of cross-border energy infrastructure. The fallout from the blackout will likely continue to shape energy policy discussions in both countries for the foreseeable future.
The future of Spain’s energy stability now rests on Redeia’s ability to deliver on its promises of record investments and improved grid management. The company faces the challenging task of regaining public trust while navigating the complex political and economic landscape of the energy sector. The April 28 blackout serves as a stark reminder of the critical role of reliable power infrastructure in modern society and the significant consequences of its failure. As Spain moves forward, the lessons learned from this widespread outage will be crucial in shaping a more robust and resilient energy future.
