The Iberian Blackout: A Wake-Up Call for Energy Resilience Across Europe
The severe blackout that struck Spain and Portugal, leaving millions without electricity, is yet another confirmation of the vulnerability of an increasingly interconnected electrical system—one that relies on a single power grid and often lacks adequate backup solutions.
Entire neighborhoods, transport infrastructure, and economic activities came to a sudden halt, showing just how crucial it is to have immediate and reliable solutions in place to ensure operational continuity during emergencies.
While many were left completely isolated, those who had invested in backup generators and emergency power systems were able to keep their operations running, avoiding serious economic losses and disruptions.
This event is not an isolated case. Critical infrastructure across Europe—including hospitals, airports, logistics hubs, data centers, and industrial plants—is exposed to the same risks, just like small businesses and private homes.
The energy transition is changing how we produce and consume energy, but energy security must remain an absolute priority. Electricity is, in fact, an interruptible energy vector. This is clearly shown by such incidents, as well as by increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Unlike diesel or gas, electricity cannot be stored in large quantities. A reliable electrical system must include dependable and readily available backup power solutions, such as properly maintained generating sets.
As we saw recently with the North Hyde substation failure in London, which paralyzed Heathrow Airport and led to the cancellation of over 1,300 flights—but did not affect data centers designed with generator-based backup systems—today’s event once again demonstrates the tangible difference between those who rely on reliable emergency solutions and those who do not.
Pramac is ready to support institutions, businesses, and citizens with generating sets and advanced storage systems to help build a resilient, secure, and accessible energy future. With its plant in Murcia, southern Spain—employing over 280 people—the Group immediately mobilized to support its customers and coordinate shipments from its other facilities, including the Italian headquarters, to meet the growing demand from the Iberian Peninsula.
Paolo Campinoti, CEO of Pramac, states:
“What happened in Spain and Portugal is yet another demonstration of how essential it is to invest in backup and power continuity solutions. We can no longer see generating sets as emergency-only options: they are a strategic component of any modern infrastructure. Pramac has always been at the forefront of developing storage and backup systems that ensure not only immediate response to blackouts but also long-term operational continuity. As a global leader in energy generation and intelligent energy management, we work every day to provide reliable, scalable, and integrated solutions capable of meeting the needs of a world that is increasingly connected and dependent on electricity.
Guaranteeing resilience means protecting businesses, data, infrastructure, and lives. Pramac is ready to support companies, institutions, and communities on this journey—with innovative technologies and a clear vision: building a safe, sustainable, and uninterrupted energy future.”