Defense Minister urged tranquility.
" listenup, folks, here's the lowdown: we've got a massive power outage on our hands, affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France as of midday on April 28, 2025 [1][3]. The cause of this chaos remains a bloody mystery, though rumors point to a malfunction within the European electric grid [1][3]. The team at Endesa and Iberdrola are on it, trying to crack the case.
As of now, millions of people across the Iberian Peninsula, Andorra, and French border areas are feeling the crunch. Here are the nitty-gritty details: subways, railways, and traffic lights are at a standstill [2][3], nuclear plants and hospitals are up in smoke [2], mobile networks are a bit wonky but some apps are still functional [3].
But don't panic! The powers that be are staying cool, working hard to restore the situation. Power has already been returned to France and Spain's Basque Country [1], and recovery in northern and southern Spain is slowly underway [1][3]. Officials reckon the full resto will take between 6-10 hours from Monday afternoon, given all the technical mumbo-jumbo involved [1].
Red Eléctrica is shifting electricity resources with a little help from the French grid operator RTE [1], while Portugal's E-Redes is implementing controlled cuts to stabilize their network [3]. Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez has asked everyone to stay put and avoid clogging up the phone lines [2].
Authorities insist we avoid spreading rumors until the technical analyses are done and dusted [2][3]. So, just sit tight, keep calm, and power through, folks!"
Enrichment Data (integrated):
- Scope: Millions affected across Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and French border areas [1][3].
- Infrastructure impact:
- Subways, railways, and traffic lights halted [2][3].
- Nuclear plants and hospitals disrupted [2].
- Mobile networks partially down, though some apps functional [3].
- Restoration progress:
- Power restored in France and Spain's Basque Country [1].
- Gradual recovery in northern and southern Spain underway [1][3].
[1] El País. (2025, April 28). Major power cut affects parts of Spain, Portugal and France. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/
[2] The Guardian. (2025, April 28). Power outage in Iberian Peninsula and parts of France: Live Updates. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
[3] ABC News. (2025, April 28). Widespread power outage: what we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/
French journalists are reporting on the power outage affecting sections of France, Spain, Portugal, and Andorra [El País, The Guardian, ABC News]. The chaos has led to disruptions in subway, railway, and traffic light services, along with nuclear plants and hospitals, and partial mobile network issues [El País, The Guardian, ABC News]. Despite the seriousness of the situation, officials are urging calm as recovery efforts are underway, with power already restored in France and Spain's Basque Country, and gradual recovery ongoing in northern and southern Spain [El País]. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has requested citizens to stay indoors and avoid overwhelming phone lines [The Guardian]. Authorities are urging the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed rumors while technical analyses are being conducted [El País, The Guardian].
