The recent power outages in Spain and Portugal have left millions without electricity, and experts are warning that such incidents could become more frequent across Europe in the near future.
In a recent episode of the Mail’s Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast, renowned broadcaster Peter Hitchens expressed grave concerns about Europe’s growing dependence on green energy sources, particularly wind and solar power.
The Future of Energy in Europe: A Risky Shift Towards Green Power
During a conversation with co-host Sarah Vine, Hitchens warned that Europe’s increasing reliance on renewable energy is creating vulnerabilities in power grids.
The blackout that occurred earlier this week, affecting both Spain and Portugal, was still without a clear explanation at the time of the podcast.
Speculation ranged from a potential power surge to a Russian cyber-attack.
Hitchens believes that such power disruptions will become more common as nations shift away from traditional energy sources like nuclear, coal, and gas.
He criticized the closure of coal-fired power stations, pointing out how billions of dollars were invested in building these facilities, only for them to be dismantled rather than stored for future use. “We’ve become totally vulnerable,” Hitchens said.
“Instead of maintaining these power stations, we blew them up.”
Reliance on Green Energy Raises Serious Concerns
The power cuts have sparked further debate about the sustainability of Europe’s energy transition.
While Spanish authorities have denied any link between the blackout and the use of sustainable energy sources, Hitchens believes that the shift towards green energy is leaving the continent exposed.
He emphasized that wind and solar power do not provide the same reliability as fossil fuels or nuclear power.
The host questioned whether enough people had protested the dismantling of functional power stations in favor of unproven green energy alternatives.
Sarah Vine echoed Hitchens’ concerns, pointing out the increasing reliance on complex systems for everyday living.
She highlighted recent developments in the UK, where the old copper wire telephone system is being phased out by 2027.
Vine warned that in the event of a major energy crisis, or even a significant cyber-attack, people would find themselves unable to function without power.
She explained, “What are you going to do if you can’t charge your car? It’ll become completely useless.”
The Road to Net Zero: A Dangerous Path?
The debate on Europe’s energy future also touches on broader goals set by governments.
In Spain, nearly 42.2% of the country’s electricity generation comes from renewable sources, with the government aiming for 74% by 2030.
Similarly, in the UK, renewable energy sources currently account for about 47% of the electricity supply.
However, Hitchens is skeptical of these ambitious targets, accusing governments of prioritizing dogma over practical solutions.
“We live in a country so completely dominated by dogma,” he remarked.
The Growing Challenge of Energy Security
As Europe pushes forward with ambitious green energy goals, the risks of power disruptions are growing, particularly in countries like Spain and Portugal.
Experts like Hitchens and Vine are raising alarms about the dangers of becoming too reliant on energy sources that are still developing and not as reliable as traditional fuels.
The future of energy in Europe seems uncertain, and as Hitchens pointed out, the consequences of this shift may be far more serious than many realize.