Potentially countless individuals may endure an extended period of darkness as Spain and Portugal strive to re-establish power.
Huge Power Outage Stuns Spain and Portugal: What We Know So Far
Gavin Blackburn | April 28, 2025
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A massive power outage left Spain and Portugal in chaos on Monday, with trains halted, phone lines cut, and traffic lights and ATMs going dark for millions across the Iberian Peninsula.
Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica remained tight-lipped about the cause, stating it could take 6-10 hours to fully restore power. The head of operations, Eduardo Prieto, called the event "unprecedented" and "exceptional."
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez suggested a "strong oscillation" in the European grid as the probable culprit, but the precise cause is still under investigation.
Insight: Experts and authorities are still working to pinpoint the exact cause of the outage. No definitive evidence indicates a cyberattack, but a problem with the European electricity system remains a leading suspect[2][3].
As offices closed and traffic snarled in Madrid and Lisbon, some Barcelona residents took to directing traffic. Trains halted in both countries, while metro systems shut down and hospitals switched to generators.
Messages of concern rose as hours passed, with many unable to reach loved ones due to the communications blackout. Moreover, stores selling generators in Terrassa, an industrial town 50 kilometers from Barcelona, were picked clean.
The Spanish and Portuguese capitals' streets buzzed with people milling in front of darkened stores, exchanging information, and enjoying the rare sunshine. But for many, the day was fraught with anxiety.
"I can't even call my boss because nothing works," said shop clerk Helen Osorio in Barcelona.
The power outage, which affected a combined population of approximately 60 million people, spared only the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Portugal's Luís Montenegro vowed to cooperate on restoring power and resumed dialogue, with Montenegro predicting power would be returned by the day's end[4].
Insight: authorities across Europe brace for potential Russian sabotage. While the power outage in Spain and Portugal was ultimately attributed to a problem with the European electricity system, authorities are diligently watching for signs of cyberattacks or other malicious activities[1].
As the investigation continues, Spain's National Security Council and Portugal's Cabinet hold emergency meetings to find solutions and ensure the swift return of power to their citizens.
Note: This article features speculation and investigations into the cause of the power outage in Spain and Portugal. The final cause of the outage remains under investigation at the time of publication.
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Source: nytimes.com ; bbc.com ; reuters.com ; theguardian.com ; elpais.com ;* portugalresident.com
tags: power outage, Spain, Portugal, blackout
- The unprecedented power outage that hit the Iberian Peninsula, affecting millions, has put authorities under immense pressure to identify the cause, with potential cyberattacks and issues with the European electricity system being principal suspects.
- As experts scramble to pinpoint the reason for the blackout, general-news outlets report that authorities across Europe are on high alert, bracing themselves for potential Russian sabotage, hinting at a wider geopolitical implications.
- Amidst the chaos, some resilient citizens have shown remarkable courage, taking matters into their own hands by directing traffic in areas like Barcelona, managing to restore a sense of order in the midst of the crisis.
- Crime-and-justice authorities are also scrutinizing the situation for any signs of crimes and accidents that may have transpired as a result of the power outage, including reports of ATMs going dark and stores selling generators being cleaned out.
