{"id":380491,"date":"2025-05-28T10:51:54","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T08:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=380491"},"modified":"2025-05-28T10:51:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T08:51:56","slug":"spain-boosts-natural-gas-capacity-after-renewable-energys-failure-led-to-historic-blackout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=380491","title":{"rendered":"Spain Boosts Natural Gas Capacity After Renewable Energy\u2019s Failure Led to Historic Blackout"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal Insurrection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Iron Law of Electricity prevailed in Portugal\u2019s recent election, as those who enjoy civilized living went to the polls and picked a \u201cfar-right\u201d candidate.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posted by Leslie Eastman<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Legal Insurrection readers will recall that a sudden and unprecedented power outage struck the entire Iberian Peninsula in late April, plunging nearly all of Spain and Portugal into darkness for several hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blackout, one of the largest in recent European history<\/a>, also briefly affected parts of southern France and Andorra. Essential services, public transportation, telecommunications, and financial systems were severely disrupted. At least eight deaths have been linked to outage-related incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blackout was triggered by a rapid, cascading failure in the grid that resulted in the loss of about 60% of Spain\u2019s electricity supply within seconds. The event was linked to the grid\u2019s inability to handle the variability and intermittency of renewables, especially solar and wind, without sufficient backup from more stable sources like gas or nuclear power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, in the aftermath of this blackout that could have been much worse, Spain has significantly increased <\/a>its reliance on natural gas-fired power plants to stabilize its electricity grid. This strategic shift is the direct result of concerns about the grid\u2019s ability to handle high levels of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, which accounted for a substantial share of generation during the outage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The output of combined-cycle gas turbines [CCGT], a more steady generation technology than solar, jumped 37% in the two weeks after the outage, compared with the two weeks prior, data from power grid operator Red Electrica show. Their average share of Spain\u2019s power mix increased to 18% from about 12%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026CCGTs can be a source of around-the-clock generation, and turbines also provide kinetic energy to the grid, a key element needed to keep the network stable. The day after the blackout, their output soared to 216 gigawatt-hours, a 157% jump compared to the day before the outage, and over three times more than two days before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the grid operator\u2019s mandate is to meet demand at the lowest possible cost, it can also modify the generation mix to maintain an \u201cadequate voltage profile,\u201d Red Electrica said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of CCGTs is probably adding between \u20ac5 and \u20ac10 per megawatt-hours to costs, according to Javier Revuelta, senior principal at energy consultancy AFRY AB, who estimates that as many as 2 gigawatts of extra gas-fired capacity is being added daily to the Spanish mix compared to the days before the blackout.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Blooberg article cited above focuses on the increased cost of gas-supplied energy. However, as the people of the Iberian Peninsula discovered, having electricity when you need it (especially after dark) is priceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reliable energy sources are a treasure, and I strongly suspect that is why the recent election in Portugal went <\/a>as it did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Portugal\u2019s far-right Chega won a record vote share in Sunday\u2019s snap election and was vying to become the main opposition party as the ruling centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) again fell short of a majority needed to end a long period of instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro hailed the result as a vote of confidence in his AD which won most seats in parliament.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

By \u201cfar-right\u201d, what is actually meant is Portuguese who love their country and enjoy civilized living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

As this result follows the historic Iberian Peninsula Blackout, I assert the “Iron Law of Electricity” applies. https:\/\/t.co\/4lcXqKvJqj<\/a>\u2014 Leslie Eastman \u2625 (@Mutnodjmet) May 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meanwhile, the Iron Law of Electricity prevailed in Portugal\u2019s recent election, as those who enjoy civilized living went to the polls and picked a \u201cfar-right\u201d candidate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":380496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691835414,691834838,691835412,691835415,691820587,691835413],"class_list":{"0":"post-380491","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-combined-cycle-gas-turbines","9":"tag-iberian-peninsula","10":"tag-power-outage-struck","11":"tag-recent-election-in-portugal","12":"tag-solar-and-wind","13":"tag-spains-electricity-supply","15":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Blackout.webp?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1AYX","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":406834,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=406834","url_meta":{"origin":380491,"position":0},"title":"Spanish Blackout\u2013Interim Report\u00a0Published","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"06\/10\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Factual Report has now been published by ENTSOE into the Spanish blackout in April:","rel":"","context":"In \"European power system\"","block_context":{"text":"European power system","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=european-power-system"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChatGPT-Image-30.-Apr.-2025-15_49_25.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChatGPT-Image-30.-Apr.-2025-15_49_25.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChatGPT-Image-30.-Apr.-2025-15_49_25.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChatGPT-Image-30.-Apr.-2025-15_49_25.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ChatGPT-Image-30.-Apr.-2025-15_49_25.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":231011,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=231011","url_meta":{"origin":380491,"position":1},"title":"Data Explain Midterm Election Results","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"25\/11\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Late campaign surges, polling error, or aggressive ballot-harvesting.","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/00Patrick-Henry-election-fraud-1.jpg?fit=1170%2C1025&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/00Patrick-Henry-election-fraud-1.jpg?fit=1170%2C1025&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/00Patrick-Henry-election-fraud-1.jpg?fit=1170%2C1025&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/00Patrick-Henry-election-fraud-1.jpg?fit=1170%2C1025&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/00Patrick-Henry-election-fraud-1.jpg?fit=1170%2C1025&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":376852,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=376852","url_meta":{"origin":380491,"position":2},"title":"Spanish Blackouts","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"30\/04\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve all read about that power cuts in Spain and Portugal yesterday. They are a reminder of just how reliant our societies have become on electricity.","rel":"","context":"In \"France\"","block_context":{"text":"France","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=france"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0be9e27ce-8b7f-406a-9d1d-80ca390aaba8.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0be9e27ce-8b7f-406a-9d1d-80ca390aaba8.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0be9e27ce-8b7f-406a-9d1d-80ca390aaba8.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0be9e27ce-8b7f-406a-9d1d-80ca390aaba8.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0be9e27ce-8b7f-406a-9d1d-80ca390aaba8.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":269034,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=269034","url_meta":{"origin":380491,"position":3},"title":"In the Heat of Climate Change Drama, Spain May Choose Its Own Path","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"24\/07\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Spain\u2019s looming national election serves as a pivotal stage where contentious climate narratives collide. A harsh heatwave currently gripping the country provides a sensational backdrop to the political drama, with many dubbing the election as the \u2018climate referendum\u2019. Warm temperatures and water-use restrictions are being portrayed as dire warnings of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"climate alarmism\"","block_context":{"text":"climate alarmism","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-alarmism"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-680.png?fit=1024%2C763&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-680.png?fit=1024%2C763&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-680.png?fit=1024%2C763&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-680.png?fit=1024%2C763&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":207425,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=207425","url_meta":{"origin":380491,"position":4},"title":"Spain, Portugal dryness \u201aunprecedented ‘in 1,200 years \u2013 or maybe not, say critics","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"06\/07\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Credit: NOAA Some scientists contacted by\u00a0Carbon Brief\u00a0have their doubts about the reasons given for the reported expansion of the Azores high. An assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, warns that \u201cthe title statement is not justified by the study\u201d. Another assistant professor, at the University of Dartmouth,\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/0azores_high.jpg?fit=640%2C254&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/0azores_high.jpg?fit=640%2C254&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/0azores_high.jpg?fit=640%2C254&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":272558,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=272558","url_meta":{"origin":380491,"position":5},"title":"Shock News! It\u2019s Hot In\u00a0Portugal!","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"10\/08\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The BBC is still playing the heatwave\/climate card!","rel":"","context":"In \"BBC\"","block_context":{"text":"BBC","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=bbc"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/000-stupid-it-burns.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/000-stupid-it-burns.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/000-stupid-it-burns.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/000-stupid-it-burns.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/380491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=380491"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/380491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":380497,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/380491\/revisions\/380497"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/380496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=380491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=380491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=380491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}