Massive power outage hits Spain and Portugal

On Monday, Spain and Portugal had a significant power outage, halting everyday activity in both countries, with companies, trains, subways, and airline flights all shutting down.

A big power outage has knocked out electricity in areas of Spain and Portugal, turning off traffic signals and causing havoc at airports, train stations, and on the road.

Officials did not reveal what caused the outage, which impacted tens of millions of users throughout the Iberian Peninsula, but several denied any wrongdoing.

“At this point, there are no indications of any cyberattack,” António Costa, the president of the European Council, wrote in a post on X.

The interruption was caused by a disturbance in the European system, according to Portuguese energy regulators, but no more information were provided.

Red Electrica, the Spanish power grid operator, said it is working with energy firms to restore electricity. “The causes are being analyzed and all resources are being dedicated to solving it,” it said. "We will continue to inform you."

By late Monday afternoon, electricity had been restored to several locations.

Red Eléctrica, Spain's national power utility, announced that electricity has been restored to several sections of the country, including Catalonia, Aragon, the Basque Country, Galicia, Asturias, Navarre, Castile and León, Extremadura, and Andalusia.

The outage also temporarily impacted France. RTE, the French electrical grid operator, said in a statement that some families in the country's Basque area had momentarily lost power, but "all power has since been restored."

Long lineups began to gather outside ATMs. There were significant issues connecting to the internet and phone networks in Spain and Portugal.

“Due to the power outage, we ask that you avoid driving as much as possible,” the Spanish traffic authority wrote in a post on X. "The power outage prevents traffic lights and road signs from working."

Major institutions implemented crisis management strategies. Hospitals in Spain were compelled to use generators. Portugal's banks and schools have closed.

Train service was affected across Spain. Renfe, Spain's national rail company, stated in a post on X that "at 12:30 p.m., the entire national electricity grid was cut off," and that trains had ceased operation at all stations. Subways in numerous cities, including Valencia and Madrid, were also suspended.

The origin of the power outage that has afflicted Spain, Portugal, and portions of France remains unknown, according to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

He said investigators were investigating the reason and had not ruled out any hypotheses, but he advised the public to avoid speculating.

Power has already been restored in areas of the north and south, he added, and the blackout has not caused any security difficulties.

Sánchez advised people to use phones "responsibly," which means only making calls when absolutely essential and keeping them brief to reduce strain on the system.

“The government is working, and will continue to work, to learn the cause of this power outage. Right now, the priority is to work to restore normality as soon as possible,” he said.