Electricity supply security has become one of the key priorities of today’s energy policies. Especially in Europe, factors such as the climate crisis, the transition away from fossil fuels, and geopolitical vulnerabilities expose energy systems to multi-dimensional risks. The power outages observed across Europe in recent years are a tangible reflection of these systemic pressures. In this context, the systematic integration of renewable energy sources is critically important not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also for economic and technical stability.
Power Outages in Europe: Core Dynamics
Power outages stem not only from imbalances in supply and demand, but also from climatic conditions, infrastructure issues, and uncertainties in the energy transition process. The main underlying causes of power outages in Europe include:
- Geopolitical Developments:
- The contraction in natural gas supply following the Russia-Ukraine war has created an energy supply crisis in many countries.
- Climatic Effects:
- Drought reduces hydro-based generation; extreme heat or cold can unpredictably increase electricity demand.
- Uncertainties in the Transition Process:
- Planning deficiencies during the shift from traditional sources like fossil fuels and nuclear to renewable systems threaten supply continuity.
|
Country |
Date |
Affected Region(s) |
Main Cause(s) |
Relevance to Renewable Energy |
|
France |
April 2025 |
Southern France (e.g., Narbonne) |
Extreme temperatures, transmission line failure |
Drop in solar power output, grid imbalance |
|
Spain |
April 2025 |
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville |
High energy demand, fluctuations in solar plants |
Overdependence on solar energy |
|
Portugal |
April 2025 |
Lisbon and northern cities |
Grid connection issue with Spain, increased consumption |
Dependency on imported energy, lack of balancing |
|
Belgium |
May 2025 |
Brussels and surrounding areas |
Transmission line outage due to neighboring country (France connection) |
System reliant on imported energy without backup |
|
Italy |
June 2025 |
Naples, Rome area |
Extreme heat, spike in consumption due to air conditioning, reduced hydro |
Drought, loss of hydroelectric capacity |
In line with the European Union’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, renewable energy strategies are rapidly taking shape across the continent. In this process, each country’s existing energy infrastructure, resource potential, and political commitment directly affect the success of the transition. France holds a strategic position in the EU’s energy policy, yet follows a distinct transformation dynamic due to its traditional reliance on nuclear energy.
For many years, nuclear power has played a dominant role in France’s electricity generation. As of 2023, approximately 62% of the country’s electricity is generated from nuclear plants, while the combined share of renewable energy sources (hydro, wind, solar, biomass) is around 30%. The share of fossil fuels is quite low (8–10%). This structure positions France as a representative of a low-carbon but centrally controlled production model.
France aims to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 40% by 2030. However, the country lags behind Germany and Spain in solar and wind energy development. Key pillars of France’s current renewable energy policies include:
- Offshore Wind Energy Investments:
- Projects for coastal wind farms have accelerated in the 2020s to tap into the potential along the western coast.
- Solar Energy Incentives:
- Plans are in place to expand photovoltaic panel use in rural areas and support rooftop solar systems.
- Energy Storage and Grid Modernization:
- Investments in battery technologies and smart grid infrastructure are being planned to balance fluctuations in solar and wind generation.
- Citizen Participation and Local Cooperatives:
- Community-based models in energy production are supported to enhance social acceptance.
Additionally, in line with the European Green Deal and REPowerEU strategy, France has set a target to meet at least 40% of its electricity production from renewable sources by 2030. Three main axes stand out to achieve this goal:
- Wind Energy: While significant progress has been made in onshore wind, offshore wind farm investments are prioritized for the post-2030 period.
- Solar Energy: The goal is to increase solar capacity to 35 GW by 2025. Agrivoltaic systems (solar panels on farmland) are being encouraged.
- Storage and Smart Grids: Investments in battery technologies, green hydrogen production, and grid automation have been accelerated to balance increased renewable generation.
France is interconnected with neighboring countries like Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Italy through its electricity grid. Therefore, a supply crisis in France is not merely a national issue but a source of regional instability. The outages experienced in April 2025 have once again highlighted this reality. In line with the EU’s ENTSO-E criteria for grid resilience, France must ensure more secure and flexible cross-border energy flows.
France’s energy transition is critically important for Europe’s overall energy security. While maintaining its low-carbon nuclear legacy, the country must accelerate the shift toward a flexible and decentralized production model based on renewable sources. In this process, improving the investment climate, modernizing grid infrastructure, and enhancing public acceptance play vital roles.
As seen, in order for renewable energy systems to offer solutions to power outages, not only production but also storage, distribution infrastructure, and demand management components must be developed. Especially in countries like France with centralized energy systems, this transformation requires multi-layered strategies.
New-generation hydrogen technologies, large-scale batteries, grid-connected microgeneration systems, and demand response programs based on digitalization have the potential to guarantee electricity supply continuity.
In conclusion, power outages in Europe reveal the need for a structural transformation in energy policies. The example of France clearly shows how excessive dependence on traditional sources can create vulnerabilities. The transition to renewable energy is not just an environmental choice but also a necessity in terms of geopolitical independence and systemic resilience. However, a healthy transition requires comprehensive planning, infrastructure investment, and political commitment. The future of Europe’s energy system depends on how holistically and in how coordinated a manner this transformation is managed.
Sources
European Environment Agency. (2022). Trends and projections in Europe 2022 – Tracking progress towards Europe’s climate and energy targets. EEA Report No 18/2022.
International Energy Agency. (2022). A 10-Point Plan to Reduce the European Union’s Reliance on Russian Natural Gas.
IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.
World Nuclear Association. (2023). Nuclear Power in France.
EDF. (2022). Operational Adjustments due to Environmental Constraints.
Eurostat. (2023). Renewable energy statistics.
She graduated from Çankaya University Faculty of Law in 2005. In the same year, she completed her master’s degree in Constitutional Law at Çankaya University, Department of Public Law. Until 2011, she worked as an ODY-ÜDY Instructor at Vocational Training Centers affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. For approximately 15 years, she has been working as a legal expert at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). Initially, she was involved in Foreign Trade and International Logistics at TOBB and represented the United Nations for nearly seven years. She is currently serving as a legal expert in the SME Policies Directorate within the TOBB Department of Real Sector R&D and Implementation.
Meanwhile, she is working on completing her doctoral dissertation in Administrative Law at Gazi University, Department of Public Law-Administrative Law. After completing her thesis on TOBB, which is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in Turkey, she plans to publish it as a book.
Additionally, since 2023, she has been writing columns in the London section of “DÜNDAR HUKUK” and “DÜNDAR LEGAL SERVICE CONSULTANCY,” which have established themselves internationally, particularly in the field of energy and renewable energy.