Reinforcing Grid Infrastructure Following Power Outage
The Portuguese government has unveiled a €400 million investment plan to enhance the country's electrical grid's operational security and prevent future power outages, following the Iberian blackout on April 28, 2025[1][5]. The plan, known as the National Electrical System Security Enhancement Plan, encompasses 31 measures aimed at bolstering grid reliability, with a minimal residual impact on electricity tariffs[1].
The plan includes a €137 million investment for upgrading the electricity grid's operation and control capacity through REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais), approved by the energy regulator ERSE, and fast-tracked for quick implementation[1][3][4]. Measures include increasing the number of "black start" power stations, which can restart the power system without external electricity supply, thereby enhancing grid resilience[3].
The investment plan is structured around three pillars: Resilience of critical infrastructures, Energy transition, and International cooperation, including potentially building a direct electricity link with Morocco to boost energy independence[2][5]. Additional funding for some measures comes from European funds, not just tariffs, thereby mitigating additional costs to consumers[1].
One of the measures involves a focus on critical infrastructure, with €25 million allocated to improve the responsiveness of hospitals and other essential services by equipping them with photovoltaic panels and batteries[6]. The Minister of the Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, announced these measures in response to the April blackout, but the final report detailing the causes of the event was not yet available at the time[4].
The most likely cause of the grid collapse in April was a cascading voltage surge observed in southern Spain, followed by sudden production shutdowns, particularly at renewable energy facilities[7]. This caused the Iberian Peninsula to become electrically disconnected from the mainland, resulting in a loss of synchronization, a collapse in frequency and voltage, and a blackout[8].
The Portuguese government is also working on a "national storage plan" to increase electricity storage capacity, which may include both chemical storage (batteries) and hydroelectric storage (dam capacity)[9]. In addition, the plan includes launching an auction for storage batteries by 2026[5].
The conclusions of the July 15 meeting of the European Network of Transmission Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) expert panel have been released, highlighting that this type of disruption had never before been identified as the cause of a blackout anywhere on the European grid[10]. The Portuguese government's comprehensive approach focuses on technological upgrades, infrastructure strengthening, and international collaboration to avoid future large-scale blackouts and ensure stable power supply[1][5].
[1] Portugal's €400m plan to improve power grid security after April's blackout. (2025, June 10). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugals-400m-plan-improve-power-grid-security-after-aprils-blackout-2025-06-10/
[2] Portugal to invest €400m in grid to avoid future blackouts. (2025, June 10). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugal-to-invest-400m-in-grid-to-avoid-future-blackouts-2025-06-10/
[3] Portugal invests €137m to boost grid control capacity. (2025, June 11). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugal-invests-137m-boost-grid-control-capacity-2025-06-11/
[4] Portugal's grid to get €25m boost to improve responsiveness. (2025, June 12). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugals-grid-get-25m-boost-improve-responsiveness-2025-06-12/
[5] Portugal unveils €400m plan to improve grid security after blackout. (2025, June 13). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugal-unveils-400m-plan-improve-grid-security-after-blackout-2025-06-13/
[6] Portugal to invest €25m in hospitals to boost grid resilience. (2025, June 14). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugal-to-invest-25m-hospitals-boost-grid-resilience-2025-06-14/
[7] Iberian blackout: Spain's renewable energy sources shut down. (2025, April 29). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iberian-blackout-spains-renewable-energy-sources-shut-down-2025-04-29/
[8] Iberian blackout: What happened and why? (2025, April 29). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iberian-blackout-what-happened-and-why-2025-04-29/
[9] Portugal to boost storage capacity to avoid future blackouts. (2025, June 15). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/portugal-to-boost-storage-capacity-avoid-future-blackouts-2025-06-15/
[10] Expert panel releases conclusions on Iberian blackout. (2025, July 16). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/expert-panel-releases-conclusions-iberian-blackout-2025-07-16/
Portugal'sНациональный план обеспечения безопасности электросети на сумму в 400 миллионов евро включает €137 миллион для улучшения оперативной и контрольной способности сети, приумножая число резервных электростанций для увеличения грамотности сети (Black start power stations, восстановление сети без внешнего электроснабжания). Несмотря на то, что основная часть инвестиций будет приходиться на электроэнергетические цели, ведомство Миколоры и Энергея включает €25 миллионов, отведенных на улучшение помощи здравоохранению и другим важным учреждениям, используя солнечные панели и батареи для улучшения их ответственности и скорости реагирования (Hospitals and other essential services, photovoltaic panels and batteries).
