Fenn Faber, director of Luxembourg’s Climate Agency (Klima-Agence), described Monday’s widespread power outage in Spain and Portugal as “rather exceptional” during a Tuesday RTL Radio interview. The public energy transition advisor noted that while Luxembourg’s infrastructure is relatively robust, “technical failures and large-scale outages can never be completely ruled out.”
Faber emphasised the growing importance of building “redundancy” into “smart” grids. This priority aligns with new electricity pricing structures implemented by the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR) on 1 January, which has increased costs for consumers who maintain unchanged usage patterns.
“Of course, there are people who are complaining,” Faber acknowledged, but observed predominant public interest in adapting consumption habits. The Climate Agency and grid operators report strong demand for guidance on energy-efficient practices.
With the energy transition framework now established, Faber highlighted market developments: suppliers are introducing competitive products to help customers reduce expenses. He specifically recommended using the ILR’s “Calculix” comparison tool for optimal rate selection.
Households can lower energy costs through self-generation, such as photovoltaic panels, particularly when pairing solar production with electric vehicle charging. This approach optimises consumption, reduces grid dependence, and minimises peak-load surcharges.
Upcoming revisions to Luxembourg’s PV subsidy framework – currently under legislative review – may exclude systems below 3 kW capacity from public support. Faber acknowledged this threshold’s significance but stressed investment rationale: “The key question is when an investment makes sense and is effective.”
For smaller homes, alternative transition measures like improved insulation might deliver better returns. Faber also highlighted emerging options such as “energy communities,” where neighbours collectively generate and share electricity.
Two aspects must always be considered, Faber emphasised: the profitability and the sensibility of an investment.
