Nuclear power stations in crisis mode due to power outage: three stations affected
On a fateful Monday, Spain, along with its neighboring countries Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France, endured a colossal power outage. The root of this massive crisis is yet to be unearthed. Three Spanish nuclear power plants—Almaraz II, Ascó I and II, and Vandellós II—were forced into emergency mode, relying on diesel generators for power. The Nuclear Safety Council insists that these reactors are currently in a "safe" state, posing no risks to employees, residents, or the environment.
Despite the ongoing investigation led by the expert panel of ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity), the specifics about the nuclear power plants and their involvement in the blackout remain elusive. Preliminary findings indicate that the outage resulted from a intricate sequence of events, characterized by power and frequency oscillations in the Continental European synchronous area before the blackout[1][3].
Amidst the chaos, attempts to identify the exact cause and any potential contributing factors are ongoing. Initial observations hint at two periods of oscillations, but the normal operational parameters were maintained till the catastrophe struck[1][3]. The continual efforts aim to provide a full technical report, offering precious insights into the root cause of the blackout.
As of early May 2025, the geographical impact was vast, affecting mainland Portugal, peninsular Spain, Andorra, and parts of southwest France. The total disconnected load was estimated at a staggering 30 GW[2]. Beyond that, the human toll included fatalities in both Spain and Portugal and over twenty-five non-fatal injuries[2].
Regarding the precise causes and any implicated energy infrastructure, the research continues. The investigation is expected to present a culminating technical report that details the root cause and any contributing factors[1][3]. In the meantime, no definitive conclusions have been drawn about the grim incident that left the affected countries reeling. Stay tuned for further updates on the active, ongoing investigation.
[1] Report of the ENTSO-E Expert Panel on the cause of the April 28th, 2025 power outage (Preliminary Analysis)
[2] Emergency response plans and efforts in Spain and Portugal following the April 28th, 2025 power outage
[3] Causality assessment and mitigation measures in the April 28th, 2025 power outage across multiple European countries
The ongoing investigation, led by ENTSO-E, aims to uncover the involvement of the nuclear power plants in the recent power outage, shedding light on the role that the energy sector, particularly finite resources like those found in the industry of finance and energy, may have played. As of now, no definitive findings have been presented, leaving the root cause of the blackout shrouded in mystery.
