A major power outage struck Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on April 28, 2025, causing widespread disruptions across the Iberian Peninsula. The blackout, which began around 12:30 PM CET, led to a sudden drop in electricity demand from 25,184 MW to 12,425 MW, according to Red Eléctrica de España .
Key Impacts:
- Transportation Chaos: Train services, including Madrid’s Metro and Cercanías, were halted. Airports, such as Lisbon and Madrid-Barajas, experienced significant delays and partial shutdowns. Traffic lights were inoperative, causing severe congestion .
- Communication Breakdown: Mobile networks and internet services were disrupted, affecting daily communication and business operations .
- Industrial Shutdowns: Factories, including those of Ford and Iveco, ceased production. Supermarkets and payment systems were also impacted .
- Healthcare Strain: Hospitals relied on backup generators to maintain operations, raising concerns about their limited autonomy .
Investigations Underway:
While the exact cause remains unclear, authorities are exploring the possibility of a cyberattack. Spain’s Cybersecurity Institute is involved in the investigation, and emergency meetings have been convened by both Spanish and Portuguese leaders .
Efforts to restore power are ongoing, with Red Eléctrica Nacional and Redeia implementing recovery plans. As of now, the situation continues to develop.