Sol Viva

Power prices surge in Portugal as it suspends Spain link after blackout

John Wallace
May 10, 2025By John Wallace

A Wake Up Call for Portuguese Residents

Last week's nationwide blackout and the resulting surge in electricity prices have given many homeowners and business owners in Portugal a new reason to think seriously about energy independence.

On April 28th, a catastrophic grid failure in Spain sent shockwaves through the Iberian power system, temporarily cutting electricity supply to millions across Portugal. In response, Portugal suspended electricity imports from Spain — a country it typically relies on for about 20% of its power. This led to an immediate and dramatic spike in wholesale electricity prices.

At one point, Portuguese wholesale power prices were nearly five times higher than those in Spain, due to the temporary halt in energy imports. For context: on Tuesday following the blackout, Spain’s average price was just €10.24/MWh, while Portugal’s had jumped to €47.92/MWh.

Although most households and businesses won’t feel the pinch right away due to fixed contracts, this event has laid bare a vulnerability: Portugal's heavy dependence on imported electricity and a centralised grid.

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Why This Matters for Solar

At Sol Viva, we’ve long advocated for solar energy not just as a green investment, but as a resilience strategy. The recent blackout and resulting market volatility highlight the importance of:

  • Generating your own electricity locally
  • Installing solar-plus-storage systems that work even when the grid goes down
  • Reducing reliance on energy imports and price fluctuations
  • Spain’s advanced rollout of solar plants has helped them maintain cheaper, more stable power. In contrast, Portugal has lagged behind, increasing its exposure to volatility.

A Look Ahead

Portugal’s grid operator, REN, is cautiously reintroducing limited imports from Spain, but with strict limits in place. Meanwhile, the government is working on a phased plan to normalise trade and improve grid resilience.

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But for homeowners and businesses, the takeaway is clear: the national grid isn’t bulletproof.

Whether you want to protect your home from future blackouts, shield your business from price hikes, or take control of your long-term energy use, now is the time to act.

How Sol Viva Can Help

We specialise in:

  • Designing custom solar and battery systems
  • Navigating Portugal’s solar market and installer landscape
  • Helping expats and locals invest with confidence
  • Reach out today for a personalised energy consultation. Let's make sure you're not left in the dark next time the grid goes down.

Visit www.solviva.biz or message us on WhatsApp: +351 910 048 100