Public pressure is mounting for authorities to explain the cause of the outage.
A massive power outage occurred on the Iberian Peninsula around midday on Monday, leaving much of Spain, parts of Portugal, France, and Andorra without electricity. The blackout disrupted traffic lights, internet access, mobile networks, and public transport systems, including metros and trams.
Spain’s Interior Ministry declared a state of emergency in five regions, including southern Andalucia, western Extremadura, southeastern Murcia, central La Rioja, and the capital region of Madrid, to help manage the disruption.
By late evening, energy operators in both Spain and Portugal confirmed that power had been fully restored, with all substations back online and functioning normally. Authorities say there is no indication the outage was caused by a cyberattack.
People who spent the night at the train station use blankets as they board a train at Atocha Station following an electrical blackout the previous day in Madrid, Spain, 29 April 2025. A power blackout hit large parts of Spain and spread to neighboring Portugal and France on 28 April, disrupting transport systems, internet connections, and daily life, according to authorities. The exact cause of the outage is unknown. Photo: Juan Carlos Hidalgo/PAP/EPA
Investigators probe cause of massive Iberian blackout
While power has been largely restored after Monday’s massive blackout, public pressure is mounting on authorities to explain what triggered the outage. Spain reportedly lost 15 gigawatts of electricity in just five seconds - nearly 60% of its national demand.
Energy analyst John Kemp, an expert in renewable energy systems, told Reuters the investigation could take months and noted the region’s heavy reliance on wind and solar may complicate system reliability and recovery. He called the incident a potential case study in the vulnerabilities of renewable-powered grids.
A person rides an e-scooter along a nearly empty Gran Via during a major power outage in central Madrid, 28 April 2025. The blackout affected parts of Spain, Portugal, and France; the cause remains unknown. Photo: BORJA SANCHEZ-TRILLO/PAP/EPA
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Source: IAR/PAP/Reuters