The UK was hit with “unusual” power activity just hours before Spain and Portugal were plunged into darkness due to an electrical outage.
The blackouts, which began around 12.30pm local time on Monday, shut down transport networks and triggered panic buying across the Iberian Peninsula.
Just hours earlier, the National Grid in the UK confirmed that it experienced changes in electricity frequency on Sunday in the early morning and evening.
It is imperative that the system’s frequency is kept within specific limits for the lights to remain on.
The National Grid in the UK confirmed that it experienced changes in electricity frequency on Sunday in the early morning and evening
PA
The first instance was at 2am, when power failed at the Keadby 2 gas-fired power plant in Lincolnshire. Shortly afterwards, the Viking Link interconnector between the UK and Denmark went down.
Later on Sunday, the frequency shifted once more at 6pm. The cause is currently unknown.
An investigation has begun into the “unusual” activity, confirmed National Energy System Operator (Neso), the quango that manages the British grid.
It is believed that in both instances, there was a disconnection from the network. It was contained by the control room engineers each time.
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People walk in Park Manzanares as Madrid Open matches were suspended due to a power outageReuters
A man has trouble counting coins in low light in a store due to a nationwide power outage in Madrid, SpainReutersA spokesman said: “As a prudent system operator, we review all generator trips and events on our network as standard practice. We are still reviewing operational events across the weekend.
“However, it is highly unlikely that these events are connected to each other or related to the events on the European electricity network on Monday.
“Great Britain's electricity network was not affected by the power system incident on the European electricity network on Monday. We are working closely with our counterparts across Europe to understand the cause of the power system incident and to offer our support.
“It is too early to comment further on these events and whilst investigations are still ongoing.”
Both Spain and Portugal declared a national emergency yesterday after the blackout brought the nations to their knees.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “This is something that has never happened before.”
A man waits for the metro station to be opened, during a power outageReutersThe blackout stopped flights, battered public transport, hospitals and stores, wreaking absolute havoc all over the Iberian Peninsula.
The power has since been restored, though the cause is yet to be determined, with Sanchez refusing to speculate during a press conference on Monday evening.
Jordi Sevilla, the former president of Spain’s national grid operator, Red Eléctrica, suggested that the loss of power was indirectly caused by Spain’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.
Reform deputy leader Richard Tice has said that the devastating crisis should serve as a warning to the UK if it opens itself up to net zero.
He said: “We need to know the exact causes but this should be seen as a wake-up call to the eco-zealots.
“Power grids need to operate within tight parameters to remain stable. Wind and solar outputs by contrast, vary hugely over long and short periods so they add risk to the system. The UK’s grid operators and our Government should take heed.”
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