The Spanish Grid Goes Down: Are renewables really to blame?

The Spanish Grid Goes Down: Are renewables really to blame?

On April 28th, millions of people across Spain, Portugal and beyond were plunged into darkness in one of Europe’s most severe blackouts in decades. Was it a cyberattack? A renewables failure? Or might things be a little more complex?


This week, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres, and Paul Dickinson dig into what we know, what we don’t, and ask what this blackout really tells us about the transition to renewables. They speak with energy strategist Kingsmill Bond of Ember and hear an on-the-ground account from José Manuel Entrecanales, CEO of global renewables leader Acciona, to build a picture of how our grids function – and how they fail.


Plus: what can we say when friends or colleagues claim that ‘renewables aren’t reliable’? And, after our recent conversations reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis, what might Pope Leo XIV mean for future climate leadership?


Learn more


🔌 Ember’s report, ‘Energy Security in an Insecure World


🎧 Octopus CEO Greg Jackson interviewed on the Azeem Azhar’s Exponential View podcast


💡 Simon Evans’s analysis for Carbon Brief on the role of gas in electricity pricing


🌐 The IEA’s report, ‘Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions


🌳 ‘Pope Francis was a passionate climate advocate. Will Pope Leo XIV continue his legacy?’ in EuroNews



Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos:


Instagram @outrageoptimism

LinkedIn @outrageoptimism


Or get in touch with us via this form.


Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks

Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan

Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford

Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas


This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(394)

Inside COP: Ed Miliband on Multilateralism, Leadership and the UK’s Climate Dilemma

Inside COP: Ed Miliband on Multilateralism, Leadership and the UK’s Climate Dilemma

Why hasn’t the UK contributed to Brazil's flagship Tropical Forests Forever Facility it helped design? With COP30 about to open in Belém, the UK’s absence from this major forest finance deal is raisin...

9 Marras 202535min

Inside COP: World Leaders Gather in Belém - with Jacinda Ardern and Selwin Hart

Inside COP: World Leaders Gather in Belém - with Jacinda Ardern and Selwin Hart

As COP30 opens in Belém, world leaders have gathered for the first major moment of this Amazon-based summit in the shadow of growing doubts about global cooperation. With some major countries absent a...

8 Marras 202543min

Inside COP: The Power of Cities - from the Local Leaders Forum

Inside COP: The Power of Cities - from the Local Leaders Forum

Behind the national plans and global headlines, a quieter revolution is already underway. Almost 100 major cities - representing 23% of the world’s economy - are proving what local leadership can do. ...

7 Marras 202536min

Inside the Earthshot Prize 2025:  Royal Vision, Real Change

Inside the Earthshot Prize 2025: Royal Vision, Real Change

In a year when climate news can feel relentlessly bleak, the Earthshot Prize offers something vital - proof of progress. And in this year’s fifteen finalists, that proof is taking many forms, across m...

6 Marras 202543min

Inside COP: Looking for a Plan in Finance - the trillion dollar transition

Inside COP: Looking for a Plan in Finance - the trillion dollar transition

It’s the trillion-dollar problem: funds are on the table - but the money isn’t always flowing to where it’s needed most. As Hurricane Melissa batters the Caribbean, it leaves behind a stark reminder o...

30 Loka 202539min

Inside COP: Teaming Up for the Planet - The Global Mutirão

Inside COP: Teaming Up for the Planet - The Global Mutirão

Nearly 9 out of 10 people worldwide want their governments to do more on climate. So why does it feel like progress is so slow? And what happens when countries start bending the rules?This week on Ins...

23 Loka 202545min

Inside COP: The New World Order - power, politics and the green pie

Inside COP: The New World Order - power, politics and the green pie

The global balance of power is shifting. Can climate diplomacy keep up?As China rises, the BRICS expand and the United States retreats, new power blocks formed by competition and conflict will take ce...

16 Loka 202537min

Inside COP: A New Economy Rising - from promises to progress

Inside COP: A New Economy Rising - from promises to progress

Will COP30 be the COP of ‘implementation’? And what would that actually mean? Beyond the famous negotiating halls, climate action is already happening. Businesses, investors and cities are driving rea...

9 Loka 202546min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
tervo-halme
otetaan-yhdet
rss-pinnalla
the-ulkopolitist
rss-asiastudio
rss-podme-livebox
rss-girls-finish-f1rst
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa
linda-maria
rikosmyytit
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-kaikki-uusiksi