A widespread power outage paralyzes Spain, Portugal, and part of France
Spain and Portugal experienced an unprecedented power outage today, Monday, April 28, 2025, which paralyzed vital infrastructure and affected millions across the Iberian Peninsula.
The blackout began around 12:30 PM local time, disrupting metro services, trains, traffic lights, and ATMs. Mobile networks were affected, and major airports like Madrid-Barajas and Lisbon experienced suspended operations, leading to multiple flight delays and cancellations.
In major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Lisbon, public transportation was halted, and many factories and businesses were forced to shut down. Water cuts were also reported in some areas, while hospitals relied on backup generators, postponing non-urgent surgeries.
Spain’s “Red Eléctrica Nacional” reported that the outage was caused by a “rare weather phenomenon” that triggered vibrations in high-voltage lines, destabilizing the electric grid. Portugal’s “REN” company suggested that sudden thermal changes affected transmission lines. Although some officials have not ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack, authorities in both countries stated that investigations are ongoing.
The governments of Spain and Portugal held emergency meetings to coordinate the response. Power restoration has started gradually in some areas, but a full recovery in Portugal may take up to a week. Emergency plans have been activated in major cities, with additional forces deployed to manage traffic and assist citizens, and several sports and cultural events suspended.
The blackout’s effects extended to parts of southern France and Andorra, with temporary outages reported. However, the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Madeira, and the Azores were unaffected, as they rely on independent electricity networks.
Authorities urged citizens to limit car use, conserve energy, and rely only on official sources of information. Calm and cooperation with authorities were strongly emphasized.
This blackout is considered one of the most severe energy crises Europe has faced in recent years and is expected to have long-lasting impacts on the region’s energy policies and infrastructure.
