Europe’s worst blackout in modern history, which struck on April 28, has exposed a critical weakness in the continent’s push toward clean energy: outdated and overstretched power grids.
The blackout, which started with a failure in Spain’s transmission system, cut power across much of Spain and Portugal and briefly affected parts of France. While the exact cause is still under investigation, the incident has renewed urgent calls for investment in grid infrastructure.
For years, Europe has led the way in installing solar and wind power, proudly reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. But experts and energy analysts have warned that adding clean energy capacity is not enough. Without modern, flexible grids, that power cannot reliably reach consumers.
“This blackout is a wake-up call,” said Elisabeth Cremona, Energy & Climate Data Analyst at Ember, a clean energy think tank. “There is no transition without transmission.”
According to Ember, Europe’s grid investments have failed to keep up with its renewable energy expansion. The result is a growing backlog—over 800 gigawatts of wind and solar projects are currently stuck in queue waiting for grid connections. That’s nearly twice the capacity already connected.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports a similar global trend. While renewable energy investments have surged, spending on grid infrastructure has remained flat—around $300 billion per year for the past decade. This is far from what is needed to support the clean energy transition.
In Europe, the challenge is massive. The European Commission estimates the EU needs between $2.3 and $2.6 trillion (2 to 2.3 trillion euros) in grid investments by 2050. For this decade alone, about $660 billion (584 billion euros) is needed.
Much of the grid still relies on aging infrastructure. Nearly half of Europe’s distribution lines are more than 40 years old, according to a review by the European Court of Auditors. “To ensure the EU’s competitiveness and autonomy, we need modern infrastructure that can support our industry and keep prices affordable,” said Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, the ECA member responsible for the report.
The blackout has also reignited debate over energy storage and grid flexibility. Without enough battery storage or smart grids, renewable power often goes to waste during low demand, while prices spike when demand peaks.
Cross-border electricity sharing is another area where the EU sees room for improvement. Stronger interconnections allow countries to support each other during shortages. The EU has raised its goal for cross-border interconnection to at least 15% of a country’s electricity needs by 2030, up from 10%. As of early 2025, 14 out of 27 EU countries had already met or exceeded the 2030 target, while 8 still lag behind.
Officials hope that current infrastructure projects will help bridge these gaps. But many experts argue that unless Europe accelerates grid upgrades and coordinates planning across borders, its clean energy progress will stall—and more blackouts may follow.
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