Blackouts, batteries and big decisions: Catalonia's energy crossroads
Durada: 32 min
31/05/2025
Solar, wind, fossil fuels, nuclear. Energy makes the world go round. But, on an ever-warming planet, the question of where it comes from is increasingly urgent. As well as the green energy transition and the climate crisis, geopolitical tensions and energy sovereignty are also shaping the debate. On this episode of Filling the Sink, we're looking at the state of play in Catalonia, just over a year on from the blackout that hit the Iberian Peninsula. Catalonia is still heavily reliant on nuclear power and lags behind Spain and the EU on renewable energy, with only around 20% of electricity coming from green sources. From a low base, solar capacity is now expanding, and energy communities are growing rapidly in Catalonia. Batteries are emerging as a key solution to balancing supply and demand, although progress remains limited. Lorcan Doherty is joined by Cillian Shields with additional reporting from Telma Altes Safont.