still « many days » before knowing the causes, according to the Spanish authorities – Liberation

Still no resolution in sight. Almost a week later the electric mega that hit the Iberian peninsula on Mondaythe Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition warned this Sunday, May 4 that it would still take time before knowing its exact origin. « We are talking about a lot of days » Still waiting to find out about the precise causes of the incident, said in an interview published Sunday in El Pais Sara Aagesen, mentioning in particular « A very complex electrical system (…) ». « All hypotheses are open », assured the minister, even that of the « Cyberattack ».

But, questioned several times about the role that renewable energies could have played in this breakdownthe minister ended up admitting the possibility of an initial anomaly from photovoltaic installations in the southwest of Spain, as had already mentioned by the manager of the Spanish electricity network (REE).

« To date, we do not know which installations have stopped working in the system »a nuanced Sara Aagesen: “Talking about photovoltaic solar could be precipitated, even if we see on the map the different production technologies of the region. And that there are a lot of photovoltaic solar in the southwest of Spain. ”

But « Renewable energies are not dangerous in itself », insisted the minister: the « Pointe the finger like the origin of the incident » according to her, according to her« Easy diagnosis », and is « Irresponsible and simplistic ».

After the cut, experts in the sector wondered about a possible imbalance between production and electricity request, more difficult to correct without adequate technologies in a network where wind and solar weigh more – compared to the French network which is very fueled by nuclear, for example -, which could have contributed to the collapse of the Spanish system.

Electricity production in the country has incorporated this « Energy mix for a long time », recalled the minister, « Displaying » immediately the entrance track « Of a large amount of renewable energy in the system, since there have been many other days with more solar production in Spain, and much less demand, and (that) the system worked very well ».

« Renewable energies allow Spain to achieve very important energy independence in a vulnerable geopolitically » world « , assured the Minister of Ecological Transition.

She also insisted on the need for connectivity, in particular with France: « In view of what happened on Monday, it is clear that the more interconnections we will have, the more robust the Iberian System. »

For environmental reasonsFrance sees a bad eye the installation of two New interconnections Through the Pyrenees, assured the minister. “We insist that this must be an objective beyond our only two countries. We are talking about a European market and it cannot be a debate between France and Spain. ”

« France must realize that interconnections must be done, whatever happens », she concludes, saying herself « Convinced that the environmental impact can be overcome ».