Spain faces the worst blackout in its history this Monday, both in terms of geographic scope, which covers the entire Iberian Peninsula, except for the islands and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the number of people affected.
Only 35% of the electrical consumption has been restored, according to official data, while the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, warned that the country is facing “critical hours” and urged citizens to avoid travel, use mobile phones only for brief calls, and to follow only official information.
According to the newspaper El País, while the causes of the incident are still under investigation, the Government announced that it will take over the management of the emergency in Andalucía, Extremadura, Madrid, and Murcia, following requests from these autonomous communities.
Red Eléctrica de España indicated that several more hours would be needed to fully restore the supply.
The massive blackout has caused the complete halt of all railway traffic, disruptions in subways and buses in various cities, long lines at supermarkets, and numerous rescues in elevators.
As a preventive measure, some communities have made decisions regarding educational centers: Madrid and Aragón will keep schools open without teaching activities, Galicia has decided to close them, and Andalucía will continue with regular classes.
This serious incident has also affected Portugal, where significant damages have been reported.
The Spanish presidency announced a new official address for this Monday night, during which updated details about the evolution of the energy crisis are expected to be provided.
Light returns partially to Madrid after the blackout
Electricity supply began to be gradually restored in several municipalities in the Community of Madrid, according to a report by El País. The center of the capital was illuminated again, as were neighborhoods such as La Latina, Portazgo, Puente de Vallecas, Hortaleza, and Ciudad Lineal.
In the peripheral areas of Madrid, service has also been restored in locations such as Las Rozas, Pozuelo, Getafe, Majadahonda, and Mirasierra. The regional government added Humanes, Parla, Torrejón de Velasco, and part of Boadilla del Monte to this list.
It has also been reported that recovery is progressing in some districts of Madrid, including Chamberí, Aravaca, and Usera, although authorities warn that full restoration could take several more hours.
The cited newspaper also reported that the State Security Forces have proactively reinforced the presence of patrols throughout Spain following the massive blackout affecting the Peninsula.
On this Monday, 15,000 personnel from the National Police's Citizen Security and 15,000 agents from the Civil Guard, belonging to both Citizen Security and the Traffic Unit, are deployed.
In addition, reserve units remain on alert, ready to intervene if necessary.
According to the report from the Coordination Center convened at the Ministry of the Interior, no significant public order incidents related to the energy crisis have been recorded so far.
It's not the first power outage: Spain has suffered other electrical interruptions in the past
On July 24, 2021, Spain experienced a large-scale blackout that left various areas of the country without electricity, according to the newspaper AS.
The incident occurred shortly before 5:00 PM and affected autonomous communities such as Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, Extremadura, Aragon, Navarre, and Murcia.
Although the service interruption lasted almost an hour, it caused significant disruptions in transportation and daily activities until Red Eléctrica confirmed the restoration of supply around 6:00 PM through its official channels.
A few years later, on May 23, 2024, Spain was on the brink of another blackout, according to the newspaper elEconomista.es.
Red Eléctrica de España (REE) was forced to interrupt the electricity supply to large industries starting at 9:14 PM, disconnecting a total of 609 MW through the Active Demand Response System (SRAD), in order to balance the system and ensure supply to homes.
The critical situation was caused by a combination of factors: lower than expected wind production, limited hydraulic reserves, and the simultaneous shutdown of two nuclear plants due to a sharp decline in wholesale electricity prices.
Additionally, there was an unscheduled shutdown of the Ascó I nuclear power plant in Tarragona, which reported its disconnection at 8:58 PM.
This combination of events left the reserve energy below 1,000 MW, a figure insufficient to maintain system stability in the event of any further failures.
Throughout 2024, Spain was on the verge of a major blackout several times, according to a report by COPE.
The REE was forced to activate the SRAD up to four times, a measure aimed at temporarily disconnecting large industrial consumers to ensure the electricity supply to homes and small businesses.
One of the most critical moments occurred on December 13, 2024, when, due to a combination of extremely high demand driven by a cold wave and low wind and solar generation, this emergency system was activated once again.
Wind production, which usually covered about 50% of the demand, fell to less than 5%, while solar barely reached 10%. This situation forced a reliance on fossil fuels, but even then it was not enough to meet the entire demand.
Consulted experts, such as Diego Rodríguez, a researcher at Fedea and a professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, explained that this mechanism is part of the normal operation of the electrical system and that the disconnected companies do so voluntarily after participating in specific auctions.
Although it was activated four times in 2024, Rodríguez clarified that it was not a situation of imminent blackout danger, but rather a preventive measure to maintain the balance between energy supply and demand.
Frequently asked questions about the massive blackout in Spain and Portugal
What caused the power outage in Spain and Portugal?
The cause of the blackout is still under investigation, but it is attributed to a significant fluctuation in the power flow in the electrical networks of Spain and Portugal. Additionally, the possibility of a cyberattack cannot be ruled out, considering the increasing frequency of such incidents internationally.
How long is the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula expected to last?
Red Eléctrica de España estimates that the full recovery of electrical supply could take between six and ten hours, depending on technical conditions and the progress of network restoration.
What measures have been taken to mitigate the effects of the blackout?
The authorities have deployed security patrols throughout Spain, and contingency plans have been activated. Furthermore, the public has been urged to avoid travel and to use electronic devices responsibly. Hospitals have resorted to emergency generators to maintain critical operations.
What impact has the blackout had on transportation infrastructure?
The blackout has paralyzed essential infrastructures such as rail traffic and public transport systems in several cities. Airports have recorded delays and cancellations, and traffic lights have stopped functioning, increasing road safety risks.
Filed under:
