Red Eléctrica Executives Discussed Blackout Ahead of Crisis

Newly released audio recordings from Spain’s grid operator, Red Eléctrica (REE), are exposing a chaotic and potentially critical moment leading up to the April 28th power outage, revealing panicked communication and a disconnect between REE and other energy companies as the system neared collapse. The recordings, filled with urgent exclamations, are fueling intense scrutiny of REE’s operations and raising serious questions about the preparedness of Spain’s energy infrastructure. This incident has triggered a political firestorm, particularly surrounding the company’s handling of the information.

The audio transcripts detail a concerning lack of coordination as REE struggled to manage the approaching crisis, with technicians reportedly shouting instructions like “Vamos, a tomar por culo, ¡a tomar por culo!” – a phrase roughly translating to “Let’s go, straight to the point!” – indicating a desperate attempt to regain control. Furthermore, evidence suggests that Red Eléctrica had been aware of impending system instability for days prior to the outage, a fact initially downplayed by the company. Senator Corredor’s public display of anger during a Senate hearing, dismissing concerns as nervousness, has been widely criticized as a deliberate attempt to deflect blame and obfuscate the truth. The revelation that REE concealed these recordings from the Senate for eight months, at the direction of former CEO Corredor, adds a significant layer of suspicion and highlights a potential cover-up. This delay in transparency significantly hinders the ongoing investigation into the cause of the ‘Gran Apagón’ and raises serious concerns about the company’s ethical conduct and accountability.

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