The president of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, urgently convened a crisis meeting at the Spanish Electricity Grid Control Center following a massive blackout that has affected millions of citizens across the nation since noon on this Monday, except for the islands, and also impacting Portugal.
The magnitude of the power outage has disrupted essential infrastructures such as rail transport, air travel, and traffic systems in several cities.
According to information published by El País, supply began to gradually recover in the north and south of the peninsula starting at 1:33 PM, according to data from Red Eléctrica.
However, the cause of the incident is still unknown, and the company estimates that the full restoration of service could take between six and ten hours.
Alongside President Sánchez, the following officials visited the facilities of Red Eléctrica: First Vice President and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero; Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen; Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente; Minister of Health, Mónica García; and Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López.
In an official statement issued by the Secretary of State for Communications, the Government has assured that "all resources are being allocated to understand the origin and impact of this incident and to resolve it as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile, the National Cryptology Center (CCN), part of the National Intelligence Center (CNI), has begun investigations to determine whether the blackout could have been caused by a cyberattack.
The impact of the outage has been severe: the entire national railway network came to a halt, there were disruptions at airports and public transportation services, and in many cities the traffic lights stopped working.
The General Traffic Directorate (DGT) has urged citizens to avoid driving "as much as possible" due to the risks associated with a lack of signage.
In the commercial sector, various supermarkets have reported that they only accept cash payments due to the failure of their electronic systems, further exacerbating the daily difficulties faced by the population.
The ongoing investigation considers a cyberattack as a possible cause, given the international context of increasing threats in cyberspace.
Spain has ranked among the countries experiencing the most cyberattacks in recent months, particularly due to its stance on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, with several hundred serious incidents reported annually, emphasized El País.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Power Outage in Spain and Portugal
What caused the power outage in Spain and Portugal?
The origin of the blackout is still unknown, but a possible cyberattack is being investigated, given the history of cyber threats in the region.
How long will it take to restore the power supply?
According to Red Eléctrica, the complete normalization of the service could take between six and ten hours, although the supply has already started to recover gradually in some areas.
How has the blackout affected essential infrastructure and services?
The blackout has paralyzed essential infrastructures such as rail and air transport, in addition to affecting traffic systems in several cities, causing significant chaos in daily life.
What measures is the government taking to address the crisis?
The government has allocated all resources to investigate and resolve the issue as soon as possible, and has called a crisis meeting to coordinate the response to the situation.
Is there a risk that the blackout will extend to other regions of Europe?
Although it has not been confirmed, authorities do not rule out the possibility that the blackout could extend to other regions of Europe, especially if the hypothesis of a cyberattack is confirmed.
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