On April 28, 2025, a significant power disruption struck Spain, leading to a cascading blackout that affected trains, airports, and other essential infrastructure. The outage, reported to involve faults in the European electrical grid, sent shockwaves across Spain and extended into Portugal and France, creating chaos in urban centers.
Millions of residents experienced the impact of the blackout, with hospitals forced to rely on generators. In Portugal, schools and banks were closed in response to safety concerns. The blackout also resulted in the suspension of matches at the Madrid Open, as officials announced that the event could no longer proceed due to the power failure.
Local authorities in cities like Murcia witnessed crosswalks and traffic lights go dark, prompting cautious driving through affected areas. E-Redes, Portugal's national energy provider, indicated that the outage was widespread, affecting regions including Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Basque Country. The French regions of Burgundy and the Basque Coast were similarly affected, as mentioned by E-Redes.
Spain's national power utility, Red Eléctrica, confirmed that power was being gradually restored in some northern and southern areas. Portuguese state minister António Leitão Amaro reported that preliminary investigations found no evidence of a cyberattack behind the disruption.
Train services were severely hindered, with Renfe, the Spanish rail company, stating that all trains ceased operations around midday, leaving many stranded. Valencia's local train service echoed this sentiment, confirming significant disruptions across their network.
Daily routines were thrown into disarray as businesses and services were forced to close. In Murcia, restaurants ceased operations, and some residents were left waiting for power to return, unable to use elevators or other electrical devices. Long lines formed at ATMs as people sought access to cash amidst the chaos.
The airline EasyJet informed travelers of ongoing issues at Spanish airports due to the blackout, expecting delays and disruptions described as “extraordinary.” Despite the challenges, activities like indoor flamenco classes continued, highlighting the resilience of the communities amid uncertain circumstances.
The situation is ongoing, with updates expected as authorities work to resolve the widespread outage and restore normalcy.
