Red Eléctrica warned by CNMC over coordination failures during blackout

Spain's competition regulator, the CNMC, has issued a formal warning to Red Eléctrica following a nationwide blackout on April 28, 2025. While the regulator described the restoration of electricity as “swift and effective,” inspections revealed significant shortcomings in the coordination procedures used to restart the grid.

A primary issue identified was the unavailability of certain power stations that were included in contingency plans but were unable to be used when needed. This forced operators to rely on alternative facilities. The CNMC has called on Red Eléctrica to exercise greater control over the availability of essential power stations and to ensure that scheduled maintenance does not compromise the ability to restart the grid.

The regulator's report focused on the restoration process rather than the initial causes of the blackout. It included inspections of nine hydroelectric power stations and one distribution company, emphasizing the need for better monitoring and more rigorous testing of the facilities responsible for initiating the gradual reconnection of the electrical supply.