A massive power outage struck Spain (excluding the islands) and Portugal shortly after noon, impacting thousands of citizens across both countries. The Spanish government has launched an investigation into the blackout, deploying technical teams from various ministries, although no official explanation has been issued yet. Red Eléctrica, the public company responsible for electricity connections, reported that work began immediately to resolve the issue. The National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) is also examining the situation in case it was the result of a cyberattack, though no conclusions have been reached so far.
Spain’s Third Vice President, Sara Aagesen, is currently en route to the Red Eléctrica Control Center to clarify the circumstances affecting the electricity supply. Redeia has activated “electricity supply recovery plans in collaboration with sector companies following the system collapse in the peninsula,” according to company sources. They added that the causes are under investigation and that all available resources are being deployed to restore normal service.
Citizens from all Spanish regions and Portugal reported a loss of electricity supply shortly after midday. Although service was briefly restored in some areas, subsequent outages quickly followed. Major Spanish electricity companies have yet to provide an official reason for the disruptions.
The Canary and Balearic Islands have not been affected, according to preliminary reports. The Canary Islands operate six isolated systems—one for each island—while the Balearic Islands have two separate systems (Mallorca-Menorca and Ibiza-Formentera), which are interconnected locally and with the Spanish mainland via a submarine cable.
The power outages across the peninsula have impacted communication systems, airports, and high-speed transportation networks in both Spain and Portugal. Traffic lights and shopping centers have also been affected.
In Portugal, the blackout has similarly caused widespread disruption. At Lisbon Airport, thousands of passengers faced significant confusion following the collapse of the electrical system. The Portuguese government has yet to offer an official explanation regarding the cause of the outage, which has also disrupted telecommunications networks. Red Eléctrica Nacional, the company managing the distribution, confirmed a nationwide failure and is working to determine the cause.
Key infrastructure across the peninsula has suffered from the blackout. Spain’s railway operator, Adif, experienced voltage drops, leading to a halt in train traffic nationwide. Airlines reported disruptions at airports, including Madrid-Barajas, as power was gradually restored.
In Madrid, Metro service has been suspended due to “external causes” stemming from the power outage, while the Cercanías commuter train network is also out of service due to the lack of electricity.
The Spanish Stock Exchange (BME) confirmed that it continues to operate normally, with no interruptions in market operations. However, the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) noted that while the market infrastructures are functioning properly, some financial institutions may be experiencing connectivity issues affecting client services.
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