Madrid/Lisbon: An unprecedented power crisis in Spain and Portugal on Monday afternoon brought both countries to a standstill. The blackout plunged large areas, including Madrid and Lisbon, into darkness, halting trains, closing airports, and forcing hospitals to rely on emergency generators. Portugal's grid operator REN has warned that it could take up to a week to fully restore power supply. The cause of the crisis is not yet clear, but suspicions range from cyber attack to extreme temperatures.
What happened and why?
Around 12:30pm (local time) on Monday, Spain and Portugal's power grids suddenly lost 15 gigawatts of power, equivalent to 60% of Spain's demand. According to Spain's grid operator Red Elétrica (REE), it was an "extraordinary and unprecedented" event. Portugal's REN described it as a "rare atmospheric phenomenon" caused by extreme temperatures in Spain, which caused "abnormal oscillations" in high-voltage lines. However, Spain says it was caused by a connection loss from France.
Spain's High Court has launched an investigation into the possibility of a cyber attack, which could be considered a terrorist act. However, REE and Portuguese officials have initially ruled out the possibility of a cyber attack. European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera said, "There is no indication that this was done deliberately."
Impact and chaos
The blackout rocked the Iberian Peninsula, with a population of 60 million:
- Transport halted: Metro services in Madrid and Lisbon stopped, leaving thousands of commuters stranded in tunnels. 116 trains were halted in Spain, and more than 500 flights were cancelled.
- Public services affected: Traffic lights went out, causing traffic jams in Madrid and Lisbon. Hospitals suspended non-urgent operations, but essential services continued to run on generators.
- Internet and communications: Internet traffic fell by 90% in Portugal and 80% in Spain. Mobile networks and services such as WhatsApp were also affected.
- Economic losses: Production halted at the SEAT car plant in Barcelona and the Volkswagen plant in Navarra, leading to millions of euros in losses. An ice cream vendor in Madrid gave away 3,000 euros worth of goods for free.
Spain's interior ministry declared a state of emergency and deployed 30,000 police. Portugal also declared an energy crisis.
Power restoration status
By Tuesday morning, 90% of power had been restored in Spain and 80% in Portugal. Red Elétrica said power had returned to regions such as Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Andalucia. Supply also resumed in Lisbon and Porto, but full restoration will take time. According to REN, the process could last up to a week in Portugal due to complex technical reasons.
Social media reaction
Users on X dubbed the blackout “Day Zero,” and some described it as “apocalyptic.” “Spain and Portugal had no power for 10-12 hours, and people were looking for candles. India is used to backups,” wrote one user. People in Madrid cooked in candlelight in the streets, while some in Barcelona took it as an “immediate holiday.”
Experts' opinion
Energy expert Carlos Cagigal says Spain's reliance on renewable energy (59% solar, 12% wind) made the grid unstable, as nuclear plants were shut down at the time. However, Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez refused to blame renewables. Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo questioned the plan to shut down nuclear plants.
What's next?
Spain and Portugal have set up commissions of inquiry, and the European Commission has also announced a thorough investigation. Sanchez said, "This must not happen again." Portugal's PM Luis Montenegro demanded an independent audit. Experts believe the crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities in Europe's energy infrastructure.
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