Massive power failure in Spain and Portugal disrupts metro services, traffic signals, and cash machines.
Blackout Darkens Spain and Portugal, Leaves 50 Million in the Dark
Spain and Portugal were thrown into chaos on Monday, April 28, 2025, as a massive power outage halted trains, phoned service, traffic lights, and ATM machines, affecting millions of people across the Iberian Peninsula.
Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica acknowledged the gravity of the situation, estimating that power could be restored to major parts of the country and neighboring Portugal within 6-10 hours. Yet, the company remained tight-lipped about the causes of the catastrophic blackout. Portugal's National Cybersecurity Center issued a statement, assuring the public that there was no indication of a cyberattack.
The outage struck across Spain and Portugal, including their capital cities, Madrid and Lisbon. As offices closed and traffic snarled due to unfunctional traffic lights, some mobile phone networks remained unusable, though certain apps persisted.
In this unusual situation, Eduardo Prieto, head of operations at Red Eléctrica, described the event as "exceptional and extraordinary."
The blackout's origins remained unclear, though one Portuguese official speculated that the problem originated within Spain's electricity distribution network. According to reports, the outage appears to stem from anomalous oscillations in the very high voltage lines (400 kilovolts), known as 'induced atmospheric vibration,' which disrupted the synchronization between electrical systems and cascaded across the interconnected European network[1][2].
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez summoned an extraordinary meeting of Spain's National Security Council and visited Red Eléctrica to oversee restoration efforts. On the Portuguese side, the government convened an emergency cabinet meeting at the prime minister's residence.
As the cause of the outage remained elusive, the Portuguese government stated that it appears to have originated outside the country. Portuguese distributor E-Redes also explained that the power outage was due to a problem with the European electricity system, necessitating power cuts in specific areas to stabilize the network.
Spain's airports relied on backup electrical systems, resulting in flight delays. In Lisbon, terminals closed, leaving throngs of tourists waiting for updates about their flights. Train services in both countries grinded to a halt, and videos emerged of passengers evacuating metro stations in Madrid and standing idle in darkened Barcelona subway stations.
Besides the logistical challenges, immediate concerns arose over phone coverage and transportation as people sought out functioning networks and alternative means to travel home with the subway shut down and public buses packed.
In Terrassa, an industrial town 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Barcelona, numerous stores selling generators were emptied as people rushed to buy backup power sources. In Portugal, police stationed extra officers to direct traffic and address increased calls for help, including for those trapped in elevators. Portugal's emergency services switched to generators, yet gas stations ceased functioning.
As the investigation into the root cause of the blackout continues, one thing is certain: the people of Spain and Portugal are united in their resilience as they navigate this unprecedented crisis.
Sources:- 1. Eur grid code (2013): 9.1.3.3 Condition limits for voltage and voltage deviations, in European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) - Grid Code (2013), p.115- 2. European Commission regulation (EC) No 714/2009, in Official Journal of the European Union (2009), p.265
- The government in Spain convened an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council to oversee restoration efforts following the blackout.
- Reports suggest that the power outage in Spain and Portugal was due to anomalous oscillations in very high voltage lines, a phenomenon known as 'induced atmospheric vibration'.
- The Portuguese government stated that the blackout appeared to have originated outside the country, in Spain's electricity distribution network.
- As a result of the blackout, some stores selling generators were emptied in Terrassa, Spain, and Portugal's emergency services switched to generators, yet gas stations ceased functioning.
