Blackouts, batteries and big decisions: Catalonia's energy crossroads episode artwork

EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 32 MIN

Blackouts, batteries and big decisions: Catalonia's energy crossroads

from Filling the Sink · host catalannews

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.

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.

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Blackouts, batteries and big decisions: Catalonia's energy crossroads

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This episode was published on May 29, 2026.

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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...

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