On April 28, 2025, Portugal and Spain experienced a significant power outage that lasted several hours, causing disruption across the Iberian Peninsula. The blackout affected various sectors, including the meat processing firm Fribin in Binéfar, Aragon, which halted production during its morning shift. Andrés Altabás, Fribin's technology and systems director, noted that emergency systems were insufficient, leading to the disposal of many tonnes of meat and financial losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of euros. In response to the blackout, Fribin decided to invest in a battery backup system, purchasing a five megawatt-hour module in June 2025 and a second module in early June 2026, totaling approximately €1.5 million, partly funded by the European Union's Next Generation funds.
As firms across Europe transition from fossil fuels to electricity, they have become more vulnerable to power outages. Miguel Matias, founder of the Portuguese energy services company Self Energy, indicated that the industrial sector is increasingly exploring storage systems to prevent production disruptions. Recent incidents, such as Storm Kristin in January 2026, which caused extensive power outages in central Portugal, have further motivated companies to invest in backup systems.
In Spain, battery storage capacity increased from about 28 megawatts before the blackout to 193 megawatts in April 2026, according to Red Eléctrica. The IDAE, Spain's Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy, allocated €827 million in EU funds to 133 energy storage projects totaling 2,400 megawatts, with around 80% designated for battery storage.
Alberto Bodegas from battery storage company Sungrow reported a rise in demand and evolving customer requirements, with clients seeking advanced capabilities for seamless backup. This is crucial for sensitive environments such as hospitals and data centers.
Vista Alegre, Portugal's oldest porcelain maker, installed energy storage systems in 2022, driven by EU funding opportunities. Emília Encarnação of Vista Alegre noted that the blackout accelerated their investment in energy storage, which allows them to sell energy back to the grid.
Primus Ceramics utilized a diesel generator during the blackout to maintain production and plans to double its battery capacity by the end of the year to enhance resilience and utilize solar energy. CEO Paulo Almeida shared the stress experienced during the blackout, highlighting the importance of reliable energy sources for production continuity.