Massive power outage disrupts daily life across Spain and Portugal

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Monday, April 28th, 2025

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Madrid/Lisbon – A widespread power outage swept across Spain and Portugal on Sunday, plunging cities and towns into disruption and leaving thousands scrambling to adapt. Authorities reported significant interruptions to transportation, communications, and essential services as emergency teams rushed to restore electricity.
The blackout, which struck without warning, affected major urban centers as well as rural areas. In Madrid, traffic signals failed, causing severe congestion, while residents in Lisbon reported mobile network disruptions and difficulties accessing public services. Several hospitals activated emergency generators to maintain critical operations.
Preliminary investigations suggest the outage may be linked to a fault in a high-voltage transmission line. Grid operators in both countries are working to determine the root cause and stabilize the network. Officials emphasized that there is no indication of sabotage or cyberattack at this stage.
Utility companies have gradually begun restoring power to affected regions, although full recovery is expected to take several hours. Meanwhile, residents are being advised to minimize electricity usage where possible and remain patient as services are reinstated.
The blackout has drawn sharp criticism from consumer groups, demanding greater investment in infrastructure to prevent future failures. Political leaders have also called for urgent action to strengthen national power grids.
Sunday’s outage marks one of the most significant disruptions to the Iberian Peninsula’s energy systems in recent years, highlighting vulnerabilities amid growing energy demands and climate pressures. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and pledged stronger measures to ensure resilience against future incidents.