Controversy erupts in Spain over turbocharged energy transition

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Le Monde or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A major blackout on April 28 has ignited political and public debate in Spain over the country’s swift shift to renewable energy
• Critics argue that rapid solar and wind expansion has outpaced infrastructure and grid stability, while supporters defend the strategy as vital for energy independence and climate goals

🔭 The context: Spain has seen a remarkable solar boom, expanding from 4.7 GW of photovoltaic capacity in 2018 to 33 GW in 2024
• This transformation followed years of stagnation post-2009 crisis and was reignited by the Socialist government under Pedro Sánchez
• Spain is now Europe’s second-largest solar producer, after Germany

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Spain’s energy shift serves as a key case study for nations scaling renewables rapidly
• While beneficial for decarbonization and reducing reliance on fossil imports, the transition also highlights the urgent need for grid modernization and storage solutions to avoid system disruptions and public backlash

⏭️ What's next: The Spanish government is expected to review energy grid resilience and possibly slow approval of new solar megaprojects pending regulatory updates
• The controversy may influence upcoming EU-level discussions on energy security and renewables integration, especially as Spain pushes to become a green hydrogen hub

💬 One quote: “We cannot let the energy transition become a victim of its own success,” — a spokesperson from Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition

📈 One stat: Spain generated 59 TWh of solar electricity in 2024, accounting for 17% of its power consumption — up from just 3.6% in 2018

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Red Eléctrica and its peers Iberdrola, and REN

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