Breaking News: Massive Power Outage Disrupts Spain, Portugal, and France
April 28, 2025 – A sweeping power outage struck parts of Spain, Portugal, and France on Monday, plunging major cities into darkness and disrupting daily life. Authorities are scrambling to identify the cause and restore electricity, with Spain’s grid operator warning that full restoration could take up to 10 hours.
What Triggered the Blackout?
The precise cause of the outage remains under investigation. E-Redes, Portugal’s grid operator, pointed to a “problem in the European power grid” as the likely culprit, with preliminary data suggesting a voltage imbalance. Portugal’s Minister António Leitão Amaro told Lusa that the issue may stem from a fault in Spain’s transmission network, though specifics are still unclear. Red Eléctrica’s spokesperson, Prieto, reported a “severe oscillation” in the electrical network, which disconnected Spain’s grid from the European system, triggering a collapse across the Iberian Peninsula.
Beyond the Iberian Peninsula: Other Affected Regions
The outage rippled beyond Spain and Portugal, briefly impacting southwestern France. Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) confirmed short-lived blackouts in France’s Basque Country, with spokesperson Emilie Grandidier telling CNN that power was restored within minutes. Additionally, Euronews reported outages in Andorra, a small nation bordering Spain, where residents experienced disruptions.
Chaos on the Ground: Travel and Transit Halted
The blackout has wreaked havoc on transportation across the region. In Spain, Renfe, the national train operator, suspended all services starting at 12:30 p.m. local time, stranding thousands of passengers. The Madrid Metro also ceased operations, with reports of evacuations at several underground stations. In Portugal, TAP Air Portugal issued an urgent advisory on social media, urging passengers to avoid airports due to severely limited operations.
Road travel has been equally chaotic, with traffic lights out of service in major cities like Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona. Social media footage captured gridlocked intersections and frustrated drivers navigating without signals, underscoring the scale of the disruption.
High-Profile Events Disrupted
The blackout has also impacted major events, notably the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament. Organizers suspended play due to the power failure, affecting three ongoing matches. The tournament issued a statement assuring fans they are “working diligently to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.”
Ongoing Efforts to Restore Power
Grid operators across the affected countries are working around the clock to stabilize the network and restore electricity. While some areas in France have already regained power, the situation remains critical in Spain and Portugal, where millions are still without electricity.
As investigations continue, officials urge residents to stay informed through local authorities and exercise caution amid ongoing disruptions. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.