The recent blackout that struck Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, exposed critical weaknesses in Europe’s energy infrastructure. Within seconds, over 60% of Spain’s electricity demand vanished, paralyzing transport, communications, and essential services. The causes are still under investigation, but a failure in the connection with the French grid is suspected to have triggered a chain reaction across the Iberian power system.

This event, followed by a nationwide disruption of telephone networks and emergency numbers on May 20, highlights the urgency of strengthening Europe’s energy resilience. The war in Ukraine had already revealed the continent’s vulnerability and its dependence on external suppliers. While the push for renewables is essential for sustainability, it must be accompanied by smarter grids, better storage systems, and fast-response mechanisms.

The EU must seize this moment to advance the energy transition while ensuring security and reliability. Energy today lies at the very heart of European safety.