On April 28, 2025, a significant power outage struck Spain and Portugal, leaving millions without electricity. The blackout began at 12:33 PM local time, affecting major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon. Essential services, including transportation, hospitals, and telecommunications, were disrupted. Spain's grid operator, Red Eléctrica, reported a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts—about 60% of the nation's demand—within seconds. While initial suspicions included cyberattacks, authorities have ruled this out, attributing the cause to a massive disconnection in southwestern Spain. By Monday night, 90% of Spain's power was restored, with assistance from France and Morocco. The incident has sparked discussions on the resilience of the Iberian Peninsula's energy infrastructure and the need for improved interconnections with the broader European grid.
