Following the extensive blackout of 28 April last year, which caused substantial losses and disruptions throughout Spain and Portugal, companies across industrial and commercial sectors have notably ramped up their investments in battery storage.
The power failure plunged both nations into darkness for several hours, impacting everything from ceramics to food processing businesses. This widespread event not only threw households into turmoil but also left firms desperate to contain the fallout for critical manufacturing activities. As a result, it triggered a regional shift in energy planning strategies aimed at enhancing resilience against future outages.
Battery investment surges after heavy losses
Fribin, a major meat processor in Binéfar, Aragon (northeastern Spain), counted itself among the most affected during the blackout. While employees worked the morning shift, all production lines came to a sudden standstill. Backup power failed, halting operations entirely and causing significant spoilage. Andrés Altabás, overseeing technology and systems, revealed that the financial hit totaled hundreds of thousands of euros and that their backup contingency plans proved insufficient.
Although Fribin consumes over 25 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, mainly due to refrigeration needs, management had previously opted against battery backups due to cost concerns. However, the 28 April blackout proved decisive; the company acquired its first five megawatt-hour battery module in June 2025 and followed up with a second purchase of equal capacity in early June 2026. These investments, costing €1.5 million together, were partially subsidized via the European Union’s Next Generation funds.
Industrial sector speeds up battery uptake post-blackout
Industries across the Iberian Peninsula have rapidly adopted battery storage systems, taking up a leading role. Miguel Matias, founder of Self Energy, indicated that the sector’s vulnerability to power cuts makes dependable, instantaneous backup solutions essential. Matias noted that even brief blackouts can lead to damage or product loss, and battery installations that provide several minutes or hours of emergency power offer significant protection.
Natural disasters, including Storm Kristin in January (which toppled thousands of infrastructure poles in central Portugal), have compounded concerns. That storm deprived hundreds of thousands of people of power and telecommunication for extended periods, sometimes weeks, highlighting grid fragility for businesses dependent on constant power.
Figures from Red Eléctrica—Spain’s national grid operator—show that battery storage capacity soared from 28 MW to 193 MW between April 2025 and April 2026. The trend is set to continue, as Spain’s energy agency IDAE has invested €827 million in EU funds in 133 energy storage projects totaling 2,400 MW. About 80% of this funding supports battery systems, which could mean nearly ten times more capacity soon connected to the Spanish grid.
Sectors from porcelain to ceramics ramp up storage
Batteries suppliers have seen brisk business. Sungrow’s representative, Alberto Bodegas, cites not only a surge in orders but also more advanced technical requests. Previously, customers asked for backup systems to cover partial or complete outages; now, they demand smooth, uninterrupted power transitions, critical for facilities such as data centers and hospitals. In addition, the release of EU incentive funds has prompted clients to seek shorter delivery times.
A swift response was seen from established manufacturers. Vista Alegre, the oldest porcelain producer in Portugal, used EU Recovery and Resilience Plan financing to introduce storage modules totaling 2 MWh at its Ílhavo site. According to company spokesperson Emília Encarnação, the 2025 blackout accelerated their battery project, with plant operations at risk during sudden power failures.
At Primus Ceramics near Aveiro, backup diesel generators initially protected production during the outage, sparing the plant substantial losses. CEO Paulo Almeida recalled decision-making pressures as teams weighed shutting furnaces versus waiting for the grid to recover. Since then, Primus doubled its battery storage capacity by the year’s end, positioning itself to better handle future blackouts and to profit from surplus solar energy returned to the grid.
Looking ahead: energy security amid electrification
Specialists observe that although EU grants and increased electrification have contributed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, they have also heightened company exposure to power shortfalls. Blackouts like the one in April 2025 and subsequent disasters have underlined the urgent necessity for reliable backup capabilities. As battery storage rapidly expands, firms are aiming to minimize the risk of costly interruptions and to ensure steady, dependable production regardless of future challenges.