A massive power outage has caused widespread disruption across Spain and Portugal, plunging large parts of the Iberian Peninsula into darkness and paralyzing transport systems. The power failure, which also affected parts of France, occurred late on Monday morning and left both countries struggling to restore electricity.
Portugal’s grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), confirmed that the electrical supply was lost across the entire country, while Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica reported similar outages across Spain. They said efforts were underway to restore power, but the causes of the outage were still being investigated.
The blackout caused chaos at airports, train stations, and on the roads. In Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado airport, holidaymakers were left stranded in the dark without air conditioning or running water. Shops in the airport were only accepting cash, further frustrating passengers. In Madrid, the city’s traffic lights went out, leading to traffic jams and confusion on the roads.
“I was driving and suddenly there were no traffic lights… It was a bit of a jungle,” said Luis Ibáñez Jiménez, a driver in Madrid. “I saw a massive bus coming, and I had to accelerate a lot to go past it,” he told CNN.
The power outage also affected the rail network in Spain. Spanish train operator Renfe confirmed that trains had stopped running nationwide, causing widespread cancellations and delays.
Portugal’s police force issued a warning urging people to avoid unnecessary travel due to the risks posed by traffic light failures. “Reduce your speed and pay extra attention. Prioritize safe driving: your calmness saves lives,” the police advised.
In Portugal, E-Redes, the electricity provider for mainland Portugal, assured the public that they were working to restore the connection, adding that the issue was part of a wider European problem.
The sudden and widespread nature of the blackout left people frustrated and uncertain. While the causes remain under investigation, both Spanish and Portuguese authorities are working hard to resolve the situation and restore normalcy as soon as possible.
The power failure has raised concerns about the reliability of the electrical grid across the region, and the immediate response will likely involve a review of infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
