Joint Statement: Iberian Blackout

Further to the Spanish Government report on the causes of the Iberian Blackout in April 2025, the undersigned Associations have issued the following statement:

Let us be clear: solar PV was not the cause of the blackout.

The investigation confirms that managing an electricity system is a complex and multi-faceted undertaking and is of great societal importance. Going forward, the Iberian blackout must be a moment of learning. Solar PV already has the capacity to control voltage, but regulations did not allow its application.

This is a call for accelerated investment in grid resilience and system flexibility –especially through grid-forming inverters and battery storage. These technologies are already available and are key to supporting stable voltage levels, managing variability, and delivering renewable-powered energy security. Last year, Spain ranked 14th in Europe in terms of battery installation, with less than 250 MWh of new batteries, compared to 9 GW of new solar. Nearly all new installations were smaller-scale batteries, not at utility level. Pre-Blackout, the Spanish market was already responding to this clear need for more battery storage and flexibility. In 2025, Spain is expected to climb to become a top-5 European battery market, thanks to the utility-scale battery segment revival.

Now it is for authorities to ensure that the sector is able to deliver. Solar is the fastest growing energy technology to ever exist. Solar is the cheapest energy source across most of the world, and offers a lifeline to European and global industry facing structurally high energy costs. Solar is not a pipeline to shut off and so inherently supports our energy security. Solar will be – according to the International Energy Agency – the world’s largest source of electricity by 2033. Solar, renewables, and electrification remain the way forward for Europe, and the world.