Following a massive April 28 blackout that cut nearly 60% of Spain’s power in just five seconds, TRG Datacenters launched a global study to determine which countries are best prepared to survive a major blackout or electricity outage—and which might be left in the dark.
The result of this study is the Energy Independence and Resilience Index, which analyzed 79 countries using five key energy metrics. The index gives the highest weight to three core factors: Electricity production from hydroelectric sources, because hydro stations can return to full output within 5 minutes after a blackout—faster than any other power source, high reliance on alternative and nuclear energy and therefore low fossil fuel energy consumption. Other indicators like energy efficiency and domestic production vs imports were also considered, but weighted less heavily in this context of blackout survivability.
Below are the ten countries most prepared to handle a large-scale outage:
| Countries | Alternative and nuclear energy (% of total energy use) | Electricity production from hydroelectric sources (% of total) | Fossil fuel energy consumption | Index |
| Iceland | 89.3 | 70.2 | 10.3 | 82.93 |
| Norway | 50.6 | 89.1 | 46.3 | 67.12 |
| Switzerland | 45 | 55.9 | 44.5 | 63.47 |
| Sweden | 49.2 | 40 | 24.9 | 61.07 |
| New Zealand | 38.7 | 59.5 | 55.4 | 58.70 |
| Brazil | 17.3 | 60.2 | 49.4 | 51.05 |
| Austria | 16.2 | 60 | 62.1 | 49.73 |
| Latvia | 8.3 | 59.4 | 47.8 | 48.99 |
| France | 46.7 | 11.5 | 46.5 | 48.01 |
| Ecuador | 13.2 | 74.6 | 84 | 47.71 |
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Iceland ranks first as the most energy-resilient country in the world. With nearly 90% of its energy coming from clean sources—primarily hydro and geothermal—it’s also one of the quickest to bounce back after a blackout. Its massive hydroelectric infrastructure allows for almost instant power recovery.
Norway takes second place, thanks to its exceptional hydro capacity. Over 89% of its electricity is generated from hydropower, and more than half of its total energy use is renewable. While it still uses some fossil fuels, its ability to restore grid functionality rapidly gives it a strong overall score.
Switzerland ranks third, combining excellent energy efficiency with low fossil fuel usage. The country has a high share of hydro and nuclear energy, giving it both rapid recovery potential and long-term reliability in the face of energy shocks.
Sweden comes in fourth, with 49% of its energy derived from renewables and nuclear. Its hydro capacity, while slightly lower than the top three, is still significant and contributes to its ability to recover from system-wide failures quickly.
New Zealand takes fifth, with nearly 60% of its electricity generated from hydroelectric stations. It also relies heavily on alternative energy sources and has relatively low fossil fuel dependence, making it one of the more resilient countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Brazil places sixth, with 60.2% of electricity coming from hydro sources. Though its fossil fuel consumption is moderately high, its vast hydropower network gives it strong recovery capability.
Austria takes seventh, matching Brazil’s hydro level at 60% but with a slightly lower share of alternative energy (16.2%). Its energy independence and clean power make it one of Europe’s more resilient nations.
Latvia ranks eighth, primarily due to its heavy hydro reliance (59.4%) and moderate fossil fuel use. While its share of alternative energy is relatively low, its infrastructure favors rapid restart capability.
France lands in ninth place, bolstered by 46.7% of its energy from nuclear and renewables. Although its hydro output is lower (11.5%), its nuclear-heavy grid remains stable and decarbonized.
Ecuador rounds out the top 10, with 74.6% of its electricity from hydro—the second highest on the list. Despite high fossil fuel consumption (84%), its hydro strength pushes it into the top tier for blackout recovery.
Expert Takeaway
“Energy is the foundation of every data center — without it, the internet stops,” said a spokesperson for TRG Datacenters. “From streaming platforms to online banking, most of what people rely on every day runs through a data center. In places like Northern Virginia, where data centers are densely clustered, a major outage could have global ripple effects. Most facilities rely on generators, but those depend on fuel — and in a large-scale event, delivery isn’t guaranteed. At TRG, we store over five days of fuel on-site to stay ahead of that risk.This study shows that clean energy and resilience can go hand in hand — countries with strong hydro infrastructure bounce back faster. As we shift toward more variable sources like wind and solar, pairing them with storage and backup systems will be key to keeping critical infrastructure online.”
