"REN, like E-Redes, has already submitted to ERSE – the Energy Services Regulatory Authority the report on the incident of 28 April 2025, which is considered a Major Impact Incident (MII) and used this report to request classification as an Exceptional Event (EE)", an official source from the regulator told Lusa.
ERSE also points out that the decision regarding the classification of the event will be public and duly substantiated. However, taking this specific case into account, "since this is a European-wide incident, the decision may have to await the final report from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)".
The classification of the event may be decisive for the eventual payment of compensation. If it is considered exceptional, the obligation to compensate consumers may be mitigated or even annulled.
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity is investigating the causes of the blackout, which it has classified as exceptional and serious. This panel of experts will have to prepare a factual report that will serve as the basis for the final report, to be completed by October 28 of this year.
The final report on the investigation must be published by September 30, 2026, at the latest. However, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, revealed that the president of ENTSO-E has committed to making "the greatest effort" to bring forward the conclusions of the investigation, which could be delivered within six months.
The blackout was basically the result of mismanagement of the Portuguese energy file by previous PM, António Costa. Costa decided to close the two last Portuguese coal-based generating power plants - Sines and Pego - and the result is evident. Portugal has no more energy backup when the renewables, sun and wind, fail, and the hydraulic source, which provides about 60% of Portugal electricity, isn't enough!
By A L Fernandes from Other on 30 May 2025, 21:48
I believe the cause of blackouts is more obvious -cyber attack- but any governments would recognise so as it is about national securities. It happened in so many places in different countries over the last several months.
Jumping into conclusion to blame energy policy which is the trap to go back to coal/oil or nuclear is exactly what fossil fuel giants are expecting. We cannot go back to fossil fuel, to avoid the acceleration of natural disasters, which leads food shortage as well.
By Chik from Porto on 13 Jun 2025, 11:31