Renewable Revolution: Spain Updates Power Grid Rules
Spain's energy watchdog has updated power grid voltage control rules to expand renewable energy's role. The changes, prompted by an April blackout, require renewables to offer voltage control, previously limited to conventional plants. The update follows discrepancies in blackout probes by the government and grid operators.
- Country:
- Spain
In a significant move to bolster the role of renewable energy in Spain, the national competition and energy watchdog has revised rules on power grid voltage control. This update, finalized last week, focuses on integrating renewable plants such as solar and wind into the voltage control system, a space previously dominated by conventional power plants.
This regulatory shift follows the government's investigation into a massive blackout that affected Spain and Portugal in April. The body's analysis identified a voltage surge as the blackout's main trigger, spotlighting the need for a more versatile approach to grid voltage management.
Until now, grid operator REE relied heavily on conventional power plants, including coal, gas, nuclear, and hydraulic generation, for voltage control. The new framework seeks to provide equal treatment to all energy facilities. The controversy surrounding the blackout has seen blame being passed between the government and power generation entities, each citing different culprits for the failure.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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