Iberian Delirium

Major power outage knocks out areas of Spain, Portugal

A massive power outage struck the Iberian Peninsula on Monday, affecting millions across Spain and Portugal and causing widespread disruption to essential services.

The blackout, which began shortly after noon local time, left large sections of both countries without electricity. Major cities affected included Madrid, Lisbon, Seville, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Bilbao and Cádiz. Reports indicate that parts of France and Andorra bordering Spain have also experienced outages.

Spanish grid operator Red Electrica reported on X that as of 7:00 AM Tuesday morning, 99.95% of demand (25,794 MW) had been recovered. Portuguese energy company REN also reported that it has “restored the operation of all substations of the National Transport Network…” and the network is now “perfectly stabilized.”

REN's statement continued: "In view of the absolutely exceptional event, of external origin, which took place yesterday at 11:33 am, and which led to the blackout of Spain and Portugal, REN, shortly before 11:30 pm on the same day, had already restored the operation of all substations of the National Transmission Network (RNT). REN, in close collaboration with national and international network operators, was thus able to restore RNT before the end of yesterday, and the network was perfectly stabilized."