Portugal has announced plans to invest up to €400 million ($466 million) to reinforce its national electricity grid and expand battery storage capacity, following a widespread blackout that affected both Portugal and Spain in April, according to a report by Reuters.
Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that around €137 million of the total funding will be dedicated to improving the operational and control capabilities of the electricity network. The investment aims to address the complexities of integrating intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power into the grid.
The blackout on 28 April was linked to a miscalculation by Spanish grid operator Redeia, according to a recent Spanish government report. The operator incorrectly calculated the energy mix needed on that day. Additionally, some thermal power plants – using coal, gas, and nuclear energy – failed to maintain adequate voltage levels, contributing to a surge that triggered disconnections and ultimately led to the blackout.
To prevent similar incidents, Portuguese grid operator REN plans to install shunt devices to improve the accuracy of electrical current and voltage measurement. The new infrastructure is intended to strengthen the grid’s stability and prevent overloads.
Carvalho emphasised the need to modernise the grid’s digital capabilities and security infrastructure to better manage the increasing complexity of renewable energy production. The government intends to introduce a decree to expedite the implementation of the investment plan.
As part of the strategy, Portugal also aims to boost its energy storage capacity from the current 13 MW to 750 MW. Although no specific timeline has been provided, the expansion is expected to help prevent future power outages and ensure energy independence for critical services.
