Although the investigation into the Iberian blackout is still ongoing, Eurelectric proposes to use this incident as a starting point for a broader reflection on the challenges related to security of supply in an energy system increasingly based on renewable energy sources (RES). Eurelectric paper is structured around five key pillars:
(i) governance and transparency,
(ii) planning,
(iii) flexibility (including system services),
(iv) adequacy, and
(v) grid investments.
Regardless of the possible causes of the blackout—on which Eurelectric will refrain from commenting until all relevant investigations, particularly that of ENTSO-E, are concluded—the severity of the event highlights the growing pressure on Europe’s electricity system. With millions of citizens left without power, the need to address the requirements of a modern energy system to ensure the security of electricity supply is evident. This need becomes even more urgent against the backdrop of increasing risks such as climate change, hybrid threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities, combined with the fact that economy-wide electrification is a key driver of the EU’s competitiveness.
The recommendations in this document are largely reflected in Eurelectric’s flagship February 2025 study “Redefining Energy Security in the Age of Electricity” and other existing Eurelectric position papers.
Key Messages
Governance emerges as a key area requiring urgent review. The most important lesson is the need for a clear separation between operational responsibility and investigative authority. Moreover, transparency is essential—before, during, and after disruptions. Clear roles, timely information sharing, transparent lines of communication and decision-making, and structured cross-sector coordination are critical to ensure that all actors can respond effectively in emergencies and make informed decisions in a coordinated manner that strengthens system resilience.
Planning must evolve from reactive assessments to a proactive, holistic framework that continuously integrates flexibility, cross-sector interdependencies, and structural risks. This will enable Europe to anticipate potential disruptions and guide strategic investments in line with competitiveness goals and long-term climate objectives.
Flexibility is crucial for the stability and resilience of a system increasingly reliant on variable renewables. This must be supported through clear investment signals.
First, appropriate remuneration for system services such as inertia, reactive power, voltage control, and black start capabilities is essential to ensure resilience in a RES-based system.
Second, integrating flexibility into capacity remuneration mechanisms, flexibility support schemes (where needed), and/or storage strategies can complete the flexibility framework where current markets fail to provide sufficient visibility and incentives—for example, regarding risk management and securing long-term revenues.
Adequacy assessments must be grounded in operational realities, including the real availability of interconnections, and should anticipate (rather than hinder) necessary national initiatives where security of supply is at risk—particularly when national adequacy assessments indicate urgent capacity needs.
Grid investments must be forward-looking and accelerated through coordinated planning and fair remuneration to meet growing electrification and decentralisation needs. At the same time, electricity industry must serve customers in a resilient and cost-efficient manner, while urgently addressing interconnection gaps—such as those in the Iberian Peninsula—through coordinated infrastructure planning.
