Trains, Flights Affected After Power Blackout Hits Spain, Portugal
A massive power blackout hit Spain and Portugal on Monday, causing widespread disruptions to daily life, including the shutdown of traffic lights across Portugal and the closure of metro services in Lisbon and Porto. The blackout also briefly affected some parts of France. The cause of the blackout is still under investigation by authorities.
The power outage, which occurred at around 1:30 pm local time, affected a significant portion of the two countries, with over 10 million people impacted. The blackout was particularly severe in the regions of Galicia, Asturias, and the northern provinces of Spain, where many towns and cities were left without power.
In Portugal, the blackout caused chaos on the roads, with traffic lights across the country going dark. This led to significant congestion and delays on major highways and city streets. The metro services in Lisbon and Porto were also shut down, leaving commuters stranded.
In Spain, the blackout had a significant impact on the country’s rail network. Trains came to a halt, causing delays and disruptions to passengers. Many stations were left without power, and some trains were stuck in tunnels or at stations.
Flights in Spain also faced delays due to the blackout. Airports across the country, including Madrid’s Barajas Airport and Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, reported delays and cancellations. This caused inconvenience to thousands of passengers, many of whom were left stranded at airports or re-routed to other destinations.
The blackout also briefly affected some parts of France, particularly in the border regions with Spain and Portugal. However, the impact was less severe, and power was quickly restored in most areas.
The cause of the blackout is still under investigation by authorities. The Spanish and Portuguese energy companies, including Red Eléctrica de España (REE) and REN – Rede Nacional de Eletricidade (REN), are working together to identify the source of the problem.
In a statement, REE said that the blackout was caused by a “complex” failure of the electrical grid, which affected several regions simultaneously. The company assured that it is working to restore power as quickly as possible and is providing assistance to affected areas.
REN also released a statement, saying that the blackout was caused by a “sudden and unforeseen” failure of the grid, which affected several transmission lines and substations. The company assured that it is working to restore power and is providing assistance to affected areas.
The blackout has raised concerns about the reliability of the energy grid in the region. The Spanish and Portuguese governments have promised to investigate the cause of the blackout and to take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the meantime, residents and businesses affected by the blackout are being advised to take precautions to ensure their safety. People are being warned to avoid using electrical appliances, to keep refrigerators and freezers closed, and to be cautious when using candles or other open flames.
The power blackout has also caused significant economic losses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Many hotels and restaurants were forced to close, and businesses were unable to operate normally.
As the investigation into the cause of the blackout continues, residents and businesses in Spain and Portugal are left to deal with the consequences of the power outage. It is a reminder of the importance of a reliable energy grid and the need for continued investment in infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
Source:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/large-parts-spain-portugal-hit-by-power-outage-2025-04-28/
