Hospital in Viseu functioning typically using backup generators
Rewritten Article:
It's business as usual at the hospital, powered by our diesel-fueled generators, according to a source from ULS Viseu Dão-Lafões, as reported by Lusa agency.
On today's agenda, energy giant REN – Redes Energeticas Nacionais – confirmed a widespread power outage engulfing the entire Iberian Peninsula and parts of French territory. They're launching emergency restoration plans to reestablish energy supply.
The blackout struck at 11:30 AM Lisbon time.
Also worth mentioning, universities across the region are operating in minimal services with no classes scheduled due to the power outage.
Massive power disruptions rocked Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on April 28, 2025, with impacts reportedly reaching as far as Belgium[1]. This unprecedented event resulted in a sharp 50% drop in electricity consumption in Spain[1].
The catastrophe's origins are still under investigation by Endesa and Iberdrola, with preliminary reports hinting at potential European electric grid faults affecting infrastructure on the Iberian Peninsula[1].
The affected regions included Andorra, French border areas, and the Basque Country, with services in these areas restored first[1]. Critical infrastructure, businesses, and households were impacted, though specific disruptions remain vague due to the evolving nature of the incident[1].
Efforts to restore power in France succeeded rapidly as RTE grid managers redirected electricity to lend a helping hand to Spain[1]. Spain's recovery process commenced in its northern and southern regions, with the full restoration expected to take between 6 to 10 hours due to technical obstacles[1]. European grid operators are pooling their resources to steady the network, even though great hurdles persist in striking a balance between supply and demand[1].
[1] "Historic blackout leaves Iberian Peninsula and parts of France in the dark." BBC News, April 28, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61657309. Accessed April 29, 2025.
- The generators at ULS Viseu Dão-Lafões' hospital, being diesel-fueled, kept the hospital operational during the recent French blackout, as reported by the Lusa agency.
- The ongoing investigation by Endesa and Iberdrola suggests that the root cause of the April 28, 2025 Iberian Peninsula blackout might have been European electric grid faults affecting infrastructure on the Iberian Peninsula, as reported by BBC News.
- Despite the widespread power outage in universities across the affected regions, politics and general-news discussions continued untouched, considering the critical nature of those subjects.
- In an effort to aid Spain's recovery from the blackout, French grid managers quickly redirected electricity, demonstrating a joint collaboration between Iberian and French power networks during times of crisis.
