CALL FOR PAPERS

European Journal of Risk Regulation

Mini-Symposium: What Can We Learn from the Iberian Power Blackout?

 

BACKGROUND

The unprecedented power outage that struck mainland Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, provides an exceptional case study not only on the state of the energy transition but also, more broadly, on risk regulation. This systemic grid collapse, which affected over 58 million people, is a wake-up call for governments to bolster network resilience.

 

Despite being among the 15 most extensive power cuts in world history, the coordinated response from authorities, grid operators, and supply companies prevented this energy emergency from becoming a crisis. This mini-symposium aims to examine the causes of this unprecedented European outage and identify significant learnings in terms of risk assessment, management, communication, perception, and regulatory approaches at national, EU, and international levels.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

Topics of Interest

We invite original academic contributions addressing (but not limited to) the following aspects, be it at domestic, EU and international level:

 

• Risk Governance: Analysis of the institutional arrangements for managing complex risks in energy systems
• Regulatory Frameworks: Critical evaluation of current regulations and their adequacy for energy transition challenges
• Crisis Management: Assessment of emergency protocols and their implementation during the blackout
• Cross-Border Coordination: Examination of international cooperation mechanisms in emergency response
• Renewable Integration: Exploration of technical and regulatory solutions for grid stability with high renewable penetration
• Infrastructure Resilience: Analysis of critical infrastructure protection and redundancy systems
• Risk Communication: Evaluation of public communication strategies during the blackout (by the Spanish Electric Grid, and public authorities)
• Risk Perception: Investigation of public and stakeholder perspectives on energy security in the light of the energy transition
• Policy Implications: Recommendations for regulatory reform based on lessons learned taking into account the polarised debate on energy mix and the role nuclear should / could play

Comparative Perspective

We strongly encourage submissions that offer comparative analyses between the Iberian Blackout and other recent major power outages worldwide. Papers should examine:

• Recent Major Outages: Comparative analysis with other significant 21st century blackouts (e.g., North America 2003, India 2012, South America 2019, Texas 2021)
• Post-Crisis Reforms: Examination of regulatory and technical reforms implemented following major blackouts in other jurisdictions
• Transferable Lessons: Identification of successful crisis management strategies that could be applied across different regions
• Common Vulnerabilities: Analysis of recurring systemic weaknesses in large-scale power grids regardless of region
• Technological Solutions: Evaluation of innovative approaches to grid stability implemented after previous blackouts
• Cultural Differences: Comparison of societal responses and risk perception across different cultural contexts
• Institutional Learning: Assessment of how lessons from previous blackouts informed (or failed to inform) preparedness for the Iberian event

IMPORTANT DATES

• Abstract submission deadline: June 1
• Notification of abstract acceptance: June 15
• Full paper submission deadline: September 1
• Peer review completion: September 15
• Revised manuscript submission: October 1
• Publication date: Fall 2025 

Submission Process

• Initial Abstract Submission: Abstracts should be submitted by filling out this form.
• Selection Criteria: Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, methodological rigour, relevance to the symposium theme, and potential impact
• Manuscript submission: Papers should be submitted via the journal's online submission system.
• Peer Review: All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review
• Special Issue Publication: Selected papers will be published in a special issue of the European Journal of Risk Regulation in Fall 2025.

Manuscript Requirements

• Word Limit: 6,000-8,000 words (including footnotes, excluding bibliography)
• Format: Follow EJRR style guidelines
• Abstract: 250-300 words outlining research question, methodology, and key findings
• Keywords: 5-7 relevant keywords
• Author Information: Include name, institutional affiliation, and contact details
• Originality: Submissions must represent original work not published or under review elsewhere

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries regarding this call for papers, please contact:

• Email: alemanno@hec.fr

 

ABOUT THE JOURNAL

The European Journal of Risk Regulation is a leading international academic journal at the intersection of global risk regulation, law, science, and policy. It provides an interdisciplinary forum for scholarly and policy debate in EU and international risk regulation.

 

The European Journal of Risk Regulation is published by Cambridge University Press