The power outage, which occurred a year ago, has sparked a debate about responsibilities and potential claims for economic losses. Companies such as Repsol have estimated losses exceeding 100 million euros due to the shutdown of their refineries, and its CEO, Josu Jon Imaz, has expressed the intention to claim compensation.
The CNMC has initiated sanctioning proceedings to investigate what happened. One of these proceedings points to a possible very serious offense by Red Eléctrica, the system operator. Additionally, proceedings have been opened against various generation plants, both renewable and nuclear, and electricity distribution companies. Some of these proceedings focus on atomic plants that, during periods of high renewable production, are tasked with maintaining system stability and ensuring supply.
Of the 56 proceedings opened by the CNMC so far, only three correspond to alleged very serious offenses. One of them is for Red Eléctrica, and the other two affect nuclear plants: the company managing Almaraz and Trillo, and the one operating Cofrentes. These are in addition to a proceeding for a serious and a not-so-serious offense opened against the ANAV company, which operates the Catalan nuclear power plants of Ascó and Vandellòs.
“"The recent sanctioning proceedings by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) addressed to various nuclear power plant owners are not related to the April 28, 2025 blackout nor do they refer to facility safety issues."
The nuclear lobby, represented by Foro Nuclear, has argued that the proceedings are not related to the blackout or facility safety, but rather to compliance with operational procedures and market issues. They have also denounced an "economic asphyxia" due to the disproportionate tax burden faced by nuclear power plants, especially when electricity market prices fall due to high renewable energy penetration.
This situation occurs at a time of maximum pressure for the continuity of nuclear power plants, with a staggered shutdown schedule planned until 2035. The Government is pending a decision on extending the operational life of the Almaraz plant. Various voices, such as that of the PP president, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and the employers' association Foment del Treball, have defended the importance of nuclear energy for supply security, industrial competitiveness, and decarbonization.
