Fact check: Did solar power cause the Iberian blackout?
dw.comPublished: 5/2/2025
Summary
The power supply blackout in Spain and Portugal was caused by an extreme drop in grid frequency due to two rapid incidents within 1.5 seconds, likely exacerbated by an oversupply of solar power. Experts are divided: while some attribute the blackout primarily to high solar production, others suggest other factors like limited backup energy sources contributed. Technical solutions exist to handle such surges, and Spain's low reliance on nuclear and coal plants adds complexity but isn't the main issue.