Power systems are moving toward high shares of converter interfaced renewable generation, reducing synchronous inertia and short circuit power. Post blackout restoration strategies must therefore evolve to include inverter-based resources and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that can support post‑blackout restoration by sustaining small and stable islands. BESS can also act as controlled stabilizing loads and coordinate with conventional units that have successfully performed load rejection. This work addresses systems undergoing rapid coal phaseout, using Sardinia as a real-world reference. European regulation requires TSOs to define and maintain effective Restoration Plans; Terna’s approach is largely compliant, despite Italy’s geography and network characteristics make restoration planning inherently complex. Restoration paths must be updated frequently as the generation mix and network topology change. HVDC interconnections, already embedded in restoration plans, provide controllability but introduce specific constraints under low inertia and short circuit conditions. The proposed approach is validated through dedicated field tests by using measurements from generators and distribution system operators, preceded by simulation studies and ex-post-test reconstruction analysis. The paper presents criteria for the Sardinian restoration strategy, emphasizing coordinated use of existing HVDC interconnections together with emerging resources such as BESS and renewable energy-based generation to improve restoration robustness.