AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, May 16, 2025. At a key moment for the energy transition, Red Eléctrica celebrates 40 years as operator of the electricity system in Spain, consolidated as an international benchmark for its technical capacity, independence and leadership in the integration of renewable energy.
In recent days, following the blackout of April 28, there has been much criticism directed at Red Eléctrica, the operator of the electricity transmission grid in Spain. Without minimising the importance of clarifying what happened and further strengthening the resilience of the system, it is necessary to balance the story and recognise a track record that has been -and continues to be- exemplary.
Red Eléctrica celebrates 40 years as electricity system operator and transmission agent of the high voltage system in Spain, with a technical and institutional work that has been internationally recognised for its excellence, independence and reliability.
Throughout these four decades, Red Eléctrica has achieved fundamental milestones that deserve to be recognised. It has carried out an independent and safe operation of the electricity system, guaranteeing at all times the instantaneous balance between generation and demand in a highly dynamic system with growing technical challenges.
It has also been a pioneer in the integration of renewable energies, incorporating increasing percentages of wind and solar energy generation and other variable sources, without compromising the stability of the system, thanks to advanced tools such as the CECRE (Renewable Energy Control Centre), a global benchmark.
The planning of the transmission grid has been guided by a strategic vision. Each Grid Development Plan has been backed by rigorous technical‑economic studies, allowing for efficient investments that reinforce the security of supply, reduce bottlenecks and allow progress towards a decarbonised system.
In the area of development and technological innovation, Red Eléctrica has led the incorporation of advanced technological solutions in automisation, digitalisation, cybersecurity, real‑time control, system modelling and simulation, storage and flexibility.
It has also played an important role in the efficient management of international interconnections, promoting and managing key projects such as interconnections with France, Portugal and Morocco, and perhaps in the future with Italy, which are essential for improving system security, European integration and the development of the electricity market.
Finally, its operational independence, functional separation and long‑term approach have made it a reference and example of governance for other countries in the process of institutional reform of their electricity systems.
Events such as the one on April 28 must be investigated with transparency, but they must also be seen in context. An organisation with 40 years of essential service cannot be assessed on the basis of a single incident, no matter how serious.
Today more than ever, with the energy transition in full swing, solid, independent and technically capable system operators, as Red Eléctrica has been and continues to be, are necessary.
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting extends its recognition to all the professionals who have been part of this story. Congratulations to Red Eléctrica for its 40 years of decisive contribution to the welfare and progress of our society.
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s analysis on energy markets in Europe
At AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, the AleaBlue division provides short‑ and mid‑term energy market forecasts, essential for energy management, planning, bid generation, risk management, and short‑ and mid‑term hedging. It also has a specific application developed for electricity system operators, currently used by some of the most important TSO in Europe. This tool allows national and regional electricity demand forecasts to be generated over multiple horizons, from the very short to the very long term, and is equally useful for utilities and distribution companies.
Source: AleaSoft Energy Forecasting.
