A widespread power outage paralyzed Spain on Monday following the collapse of the national electrical system, according to a report from El Mundo.
Certain regions in Portugal and France were also affected by the incident. Power has not yet been restored in cities such as Seville, Barcelona, and Pamplona, while Barajas Airport remains without electricity, and the Valencia metro has ceased operations. Telephone networks have also collapsed in many areas, affecting electronic payment systems throughout the region.
Spain's grid operator, Red Eléctrica, announced that restoring power could take up to 10 hours. The company announced it had activated an emergency plan to restore supply. The company reported that a "total blackout" – a complete collapse of the electrical system on the Iberian Peninsula – had occurred, and the causes of the failure are still being investigated. According to the company, all resources are currently dedicated to attempting to restore the power grid and resume services as soon as possible.
❗️⚡️🇪🇸🇵🇹🇫🇷🇦🇩 - On April 28, 2025, a significant power outage continues to affect Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France, with no immediate resolution in sight.
The blackout has disrupted electricity supply in major cities, including Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, as… pic.twitter.com/fAxRdUd1oB
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) April 28, 2025
Power grid officials emphasized that such collapses can be caused by a sharp surge in demand that cannot be met, or by excess production that destabilizes the system. Despite continuous balancing efforts during normal operations, a total collapse can occasionally occur, as happened in this case. Recovery operations are now underway throughout the country.
The power outage has also affected Andorra and large parts of France and Portugal, with disruptions to power and communication networks continuing without an immediate solution in sight. The Spanish Interior Ministry called on the public to remain calm, but no official statement has yet been issued by the government.
Total power outage across Spain and Portugal. Currently waiting for a train and all trains suspended. pic.twitter.com/tF9Feo1lRr
— Crypto Trader Simon (@cryptotrader_si) April 28, 2025
Travelers caught in the blackout described scenes of confusion and disruption. Maddie Sephton, a west London resident who was on the Madrid Metro when the outage occurred, experienced the sudden shutdown firsthand: "We got on the train and everything was fine," she told Sky News. "But then everything went dark." After being trapped for 20 minutes, the metro staff manually opened the train doors. Sephton, who was heading to the airport, had to climb 15 flights of stairs with her luggage to exit the station. "People are just walking but have nowhere to go, and nothing to do," she observed of the scene in Madrid.
🔌❌ Air traffic in Spain and Portugal is being impacted by widespread electrical outages affecting both countries. We're not yet seeing widespread cancellations, but we are monitoring the situation as it develops. pic.twitter.com/tFo3k4cHHn
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 28, 2025
According to initial reports, the failure was likely caused by a breakdown in the connected European power grid, with high demand for electricity and challenges in integrating renewable energy sources contributing to the worsening situation. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) is working to stabilize the grid and restore the power supply.
Authorities in the affected countries are prioritizing power supply to essential infrastructure, including hospitals and emergency services. Public concern is growing on social media, with users reporting severe disruptions to daily routines and business operations. Data from Spain's national power grid shows a decrease of more than 10 gigawatts in demand, from approximately 26 gigawatts to about 12 gigawatts within seconds. The cause remains unknown.
