The cause of Spain and Portugal’s widespread blackouts remains a mystery

On April 28, 2025, Spain and Portugal experienced one of the most severe blackouts in European history, affecting the daily lives of millions across the Iberian Peninsula. The outage crippled flights, disrupted train services, halted mobile communications, and rendered ATMs inoperative, forcing many into uncomfortable overnight stays at crowded transport hubs like Madrid's Atocha station. By Tuesday, April 29, power was largely restored, but the cause behind the dramatic loss of 15 gigawatts—equivalent to 60% of Spain's demand—remained unexplained. Authorities indicated that there were serious concerns over five reported fatalities potentially linked to the blackout, including tragic incidents related to generators and candle usage during the outage. Emergency services managed to rescue around 35,000 stranded passengers, emphasizing the chaos that unfolded as normal operations were suspended across vital services. As investigations were launched, including a request for an independent report from the European Commission, experts pointed out the intricacies involved in re-energizing the electrical grid after such a large-scale failure. Despite initial investigations ruling out causes such as cyberattacks or unusual meteorological events, the uncertainty and the lingering disruptions raise questions about the stability and infrastructure of energy systems in modern Europe. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's insistence on identifying the causes of the blackout underscores the urgency not to let such a crisis recur. Throughout, the resilience of the population and the swift action from emergency services reflect a community grappling with an unexpected crisis while seeking safety and solutions.