This explains the PVPC climb in May

Almost a month after the blackout that ravaged Spain, Portugal and southern France, the event has caused A wave of reactions in which the debate has been more than served. The main cause of the discussion has been the stability of the Spanish electrical system in a context of high penetration of renewable energy. Although initially the lack of inertia was indicated as possible cause, subsequent reports indicate that the level of inertia In the system it was adequate and exceeded European recommendations.

Research has pointed to A series of anomalous eventsincluding oscillations in the electricity grid and generation losses in southwest regions, which triggered the collapse. However, there are still inquiries to continue to determine exactly the origin of the failure. It is a process that will take time: that they tell USA either Italywhere similar research took years. But in the meantime, the priority is to guarantee stability at all costs. The problem is that this security has a price.

A price to pay. The Electricity of Spain (REE) has intensified The energy support with gas plants to ensure speed of response to any mismatch. This greater “firmness and flexibility” implies cost overruns that are already beginning to be noticed in the receipt of the light of many homes.

In depth. The May electrical bill will be more expensive for about a third of domestic consumers: those that are welcomed to the regulated market (PVPC). According to the countryan average family with a consumption of 249 kilowatts hour (kWh) in May will pay 4.08 euros more in April. That represents an approximate rise of 8% compared to 50 euros from the previous month.

The increase is not due to the price of energy itself, but to an increase in the so -called “adjustment services”, costs associated with maintaining the balance of the electrical system in real time. In May, these services have been more expensive to 3.59 cents per kWh.

In the coming months. Despite this punctual rebound, the general context of the electrical system is favorable. The average May cost is below € 14/MWh, very close to the historical minimum registered in April 2024, according to the data of the Iberian Energy Market (OMIE). In addition, now the impact only affects the regulated market, but in the medium and long term it will have consequences for those in the free market, when they renew contracts or change company.

What if the support had been given by the nuclear? Although they provide stable generation, their lack of flexibility prevents them from reacting quickly to events such as the blackout. In fact, during the April 28 crisis, nuclear power plants were automatically disconnected and took more than other sources to work again, such as Several experts explained to us. In addition, the high renewable generation of these months has forced to operate the idlewhich further limits its role as system support. Therefore, the reinforcement has fallen to the most expensive gas plants, and the extra cost is over the invoice.

A photo for summer. In the last daily balances of Ree, corresponding to the last days of May, A strong renewable prominence is confirmed in the Spanish electrical system. However, this advance is not exempt from challenges since to guarantee the stability of the network in an environment of high renewable penetration, it will be necessary to strengthen investment in technologies of storage, MicroRedes and backup systems that ensure a safe and continued supply.

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