On Monday afternoon, a widespread power outage struck Spain and Portugal, leaving millions without electricity and causing chaos across the Iberian Peninsula. Here’s what we know so far.
Major Power Outage Disrupts Life Across Spain and Portugal
Major Power Outage Disrupts Life Across Spain and Portugal
Millions experience power cuts, with investigations underway to determine the cause.
On the evening of April 28, 2025, a significant portion of the Iberian Peninsula faced extensive power outages that affected everyday life drastically. Traffic signals dimmed at major intersections, causing confusion and traffic snarls, while public transportation came to a standstill impacting commuters in both countries. Long lines formed outside ATMs and grocery stores, as shoppers encountered challenges with cash transactions due to non-functional credit card systems.
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the root cause of the outage, which remains under thorough investigation. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed an ongoing evaluation of the situation, while Portugal’s energy provider, E-Redes, reported an "issue in the European electricity grid" as a contributing factor. António Leitão Amaro, a senior Portuguese government official, clarified that there’s no evidence to suggest the outages stemmed from a cyberattack. Moreover, the Portuguese electricity and gas supplier REN dismissed claims of an "atmospheric phenomenon" causing the disruption.
The ramifications of the outage extended beyond just lost power. Hospitals reported operational difficulties, banks experienced transaction failures, and communication networks were severely impacted, prompting Sánchez to advise citizens to limit phone calls amid the chaos. As millions awaited restoration of electricity and normalcy, authorities worked diligently to uncover the underlying issues affecting the European energy network.
As of now, residents in both Spain and Portugal remain on edge, hoping for swift resolution and answers concerning Monday’s unprecedented disruption.
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the root cause of the outage, which remains under thorough investigation. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed an ongoing evaluation of the situation, while Portugal’s energy provider, E-Redes, reported an "issue in the European electricity grid" as a contributing factor. António Leitão Amaro, a senior Portuguese government official, clarified that there’s no evidence to suggest the outages stemmed from a cyberattack. Moreover, the Portuguese electricity and gas supplier REN dismissed claims of an "atmospheric phenomenon" causing the disruption.
The ramifications of the outage extended beyond just lost power. Hospitals reported operational difficulties, banks experienced transaction failures, and communication networks were severely impacted, prompting Sánchez to advise citizens to limit phone calls amid the chaos. As millions awaited restoration of electricity and normalcy, authorities worked diligently to uncover the underlying issues affecting the European energy network.
As of now, residents in both Spain and Portugal remain on edge, hoping for swift resolution and answers concerning Monday’s unprecedented disruption.
