Spain and Portugal have announced the establishment of a monitoring group in the wake of a significant power outage that impacted the peninsula. This decision came after a virtual meeting between Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Sara Aagesen, and Portugal’s Environment and Energy Minister, Maria da Graca Carvalho. The newly formed group aims to investigate the causes of the outage and implement necessary measures to prevent future occurrences. Aagesen confirmed that the collaboration between the two nations began immediately after the incident.

Both countries have decided to suspend energy exchanges to ensure safety while the investigation is ongoing. Portugal’s Minister Carvalho indicated that her country is currently relying entirely on domestic energy sources. Both nations are committed to sharing information with relevant European bodies to prepare the necessary reports. The investigation will involve independent experts to thoroughly analyse the incident, which Carvalho described as serious and complex.

Portugal has ordered linked institutions to conduct audits on the circumstances surrounding the outage, with reports expected within a month. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Prime Minister announced plans for an independent commission to assess the power systems in the Iberian Peninsula, stating that Spain is believed to be at the origin of the outage. Meanwhile, Spanish officials stress the importance of a rigorous investigation to uncover the causes, with timelines for results still unclear.

Amid these developments, political figures continue to express that the focus must remain on understanding the outage without drawing premature conclusions. They are emphasising the necessity to handle this issue with care, due to the financial implications it may carry for affected companies and the public at large. Further virtual meetings are planned to strengthen collaboration between Spain and Portugal on this critical matter.