No Indications Spain, Portugal Blackout a Cyberattack: EU’s Costa
A massive power outage has struck Spain and Portugal, leaving millions without electricity. The European Union (EU) has been swift to respond, with EU Council President Antonio Costa assuring the public that there are “no indications of any cyberattack at this point.” Costa has been in close contact with the leaders of both countries, working to find the cause of the outage and restore the electricity supply.
The power outage, which began on Tuesday evening, has affected millions of people across Spain and Portugal. The Spanish government has deployed emergency services to assist those affected, while the Portuguese government has set up relief centers to provide support to those in need.
Despite the widespread disruption, Costa has remained calm, saying that the EU is working closely with the affected countries to get to the bottom of the issue. “Grid operators in both countries are working on finding the cause and restoring the electricity supply,” he stated.
Costa’s comments came after a meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The three leaders discussed the situation and the measures being taken to address it.
The cause of the power outage is still unknown, but experts are working around the clock to identify the source of the problem. The Spanish grid operator, Red Eléctrica de España, has said that the outage is not related to a cyberattack, but rather a technical issue.
In a statement, Red Eléctrica de España said: “We are working to restore the electricity supply as soon as possible. We have identified the affected areas and are taking steps to repair the damage. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
The Portuguese grid operator, REN, has also issued a statement, saying that it is working to restore the electricity supply and has mobilized its emergency teams to assist those affected.
The power outage has caused widespread disruption, with many businesses and homes affected. The Spanish government has set up emergency centers to provide support to those affected, while the Portuguese government has set up relief centers to provide food, water, and other essential supplies.
The EU has also offered its support to the affected countries, with Costa saying that the EU is “ready to provide any necessary assistance” to help restore the electricity supply.
In a statement, the European Commission said: “We are monitoring the situation closely and are ready to provide any necessary assistance to the affected countries. We are working closely with the Spanish and Portuguese governments to identify the cause of the outage and restore the electricity supply as soon as possible.”
The power outage has also raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure. The EU has been working to improve the security of its critical infrastructure, including its energy grid, in recent years.
In a statement, the EU’s cybersecurity agency, ENISA, said: “We are monitoring the situation closely and are working with the affected countries to identify any potential security risks. We are also providing guidance and support to help them improve the security of their critical infrastructure.”
As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the EU and the affected countries are working together to address the power outage and restore the electricity supply. While the cause of the outage is still unknown, it is reassuring to know that the EU is taking a proactive approach to addressing the situation and providing support to those affected.
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