The costs of electricity interruptions in Spain. Are we sending the right signals?

One of the objectives of energy security is the uninterrupted physical availability of energy. However, there is limited information about how much is the cost of energy supply interruptions. This information is essential to optimize investment and operating decisions to prevent energy shortages. In this paper, we estimate the economic impact of an electricity interruption in diferent sectors and regions of Spain. We find that in 2008 the cost for the Spanish economy of one kWh of electricity not supplied was around e6, which is much higher than the signals sent for the operation of the power system. This would mean that we are underinvesting in short-term energy security.