Massive blackout leaves millions in Spain and Portugal in the dark

A massive blackout casts Spain and Portugal into chaos

Barcelona, Spain - A widespread power outage threw millions across the Iberian Peninsula into darkness and uncertainty on Monday, bringing trains to a standstill, causing phone service outages, and shutting down traffic lights and ATMs.

Red Eléctrica, Spain's power distributor, refrained from speculating about the cause and estimated that full restoration may take anywhere between six to ten hours. The event was labeled "exceptional and extraordinary" by Eduardo Prieto, Head of Operations.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attributed the incident to a "strong oscillation" in the European grid, though the exact cause remains under investigation. He urged the public to avoid spreading baseless theories and to call emergency services only when necessary.

This blackout followed closely on the heels of another serious European power outage that occurred just five weeks ago, when a fire at London's Heathrow Airport brought operations to a halt. The shadow of potential Russian-backed sabotage looms as European authorities remain vigilant.

The Portuguese National Cybersecurity Center and European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera, in charge of promoting clean energy, both assured that there was no evidence suggesting the outage was a result of a cyber attack.

Capitals plunged into darkness

The blackout started at midday, causing offices to close and traffic to come to a halt in Madrid and Lisbon. Some citizens in Barcelona stepped up to direct traffic during the chaos. Trains in both countries ceased service, and it was unlikely that they would be operational later in the day, even if power were restored.

Subway systems shut down, leaving commuters stranded. Hospitals and emergency services relied on generators, gas stations ceased working, and some mobile phone networks became inoperable. People quickly searched for battery-powered radios to stay informed.

With a combined population of approximately 60 million people, such a widespread outage across the Iberian Peninsula is comparatively rare. Exempt from the blackout were Spain's Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and the territories of Ceuta and Melilla, located in Africa across the Mediterranean.

Spain's Prime Minister convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, while the Portuguese Cabinet held a meeting at the Prime Minister's residence. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro spoke with Sánchez several times throughout the day and anticipated power to be restored by the end of the day. The Portuguese government reported that the outage seemed to be caused by problems originating outside the country.

Electricity was being drawn from Morocco and France to restore power to southern and northern Spain, and Spain was increasing production from hydroelectric and combined cycle thermal power plants.

Airports adapt to emergency measures

A graph showing demand on Spain's electricity network revealed a steep drop around 12:15 p.m., from 27,500 megawatts to nearly 15,000 megawatts. Spanish airports operated on backup electrical systems, causing some flight delays, according to Aena, which manages 56 airports in Spain, including Madrid and Barcelona.

In Lisbon, terminals closed, and tourists found themselves waiting for news about their flights.

"We haven't seen any plane arriving or departing in the 50 minutes we've been waiting here," said Dutch tourist Marc Brandsma to the Associated Press.

The Spanish Parliament in Madrid and the Madrid Open tennis tournament were both disrupted. Some saw the lack of connectivity as an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine on restaurant terraces, parks, and beaches, while others expressed concern about being unable to reach their loved ones or employers.

"I can't even call my boss because nothing works," said Helen Osorio, a Barcelona shop clerk.

As hours passed, the concern grew among those struggling to stay connected. Stores selling generators in Terrassa, an industrial town 30 miles from Barcelona, quickly sold out. Portuguese Police increased their presence on the streets to cope with increased requests for assistance, including those trapped in elevators.

Brito and Hatton write for the Associated Press. Hatton reported from Lisbon. Joseph Wilson in Barcelona and Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.

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The government in California, following the chaos caused by the blackout in Spain and Portugal, emphasized the need for robust contingency plans in its transportation infrastructure.
Despite the ongoing blackout, some General News outlets in California reported that the state's government-owned power distributors were ready to implement emergency measures, should a similar event occur.
The Iberian Peninsula blackout raised questions about the resilience of Europe's power grid, prompting a discussion in politics about the need for improvements in transportation and energy infrastructure.
As the Spanish and Portuguese governments worked to restore power, some California lawmakers urged their constituents to keep the common challenges faced during blacksouts in mind, emphasizing the importance of unity during crisis situations.
In a statement on the California Assembly floor, a representative from the state's governor's office, when asked about the Iberian Peninsula blackout, acknowledged the event as a stark reminder of the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure to tackle unexpected power outages, specifically in the realm of transportation and energy.