Massive power outage paralyzes Spain and Portugal

Spain.- Spain experienced one of its worst power outages in history on Monday, affecting millions across the mainland and parts of Portugal. The blackout disrupted businesses, transport, communications, schools, and healthcare services, causing widespread chaos. The islands were not affected.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that investigations are ongoing, but no clear cause has been identified. Citizens were urged to limit travel, reduce energy use, and rely on official sources for information. Red Eléctrica, Spain’s national grid operator, described the event as “absolutely exceptional” and unprecedented. Thanks to interconnections with France and Morocco, partial electricity service was restored by early afternoon, with broader recovery expected between 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.

The outage triggered requests for a level three civil protection emergency in several regions, including Madrid and Andalusia. While authorities refrain from speculation, European and national leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Portugal’s Luís Montenegro, are closely monitoring developments. Officials emphasize that a thorough investigation will determine the root cause of the incident.