Huge power outage in Spain, Portugal disrupts transport and communications

A massive power outage has reportedly struck the Iberian Peninsula, leaving millions across Spain and Portugal without electricity.

 

Spanish grid operator Red Electrica confirmed the news in a post on X, stating that teams are working urgently to identify the cause and restore power. “The causes are being analysed and all resources are being dedicated to solving it," Red Electrica said.

 

The blackout also impacted telecommunications networks and transport services, causing widespread disruption across major cities and rural areas alike.

 

Authorities have not yet provided a timeline for full restoration, but emergency services are urging citizens to remain calm and limit travel where possible.

 

According to Euronews, the cause of the outage remains unclear. However, domestic media report that problems within the European electric grid may have impacted the national grids of the Iberian Peninsula.

 

Additionally, a fire on France’s Alaric Mountain — which damaged a high-voltage power line between Perpignan and eastern Narbonne — has been identified as a possible contributing factor.

 

 

According to the report, Madrid's Barajas International Airport lost power, and telecommunications were also disrupted, leaving many people unable to use mobile networks. Other airports in the region have also come to a halt. 

Many passengers are stranded in metro systems in both the Spanish and Portuguese capitals, with trains stuck in tunnels, reports Euronews Portugal. The blackout has affected hospitals, including Madrid's La Paz and several medical facilities in Portugal. 

The Spanish government is holding an emergency meeting at Moncloa and is closely monitoring the situation, according to Euronews Spain. Citizens have been asked not to call 112 unless it’s a real emergency to avoid overloading the lines. 

People in Andorra and parts of France near Spain also reported being affected by the blackout. There have been additional reports of outages in Belgium as well. 

The cause of the blackout is still unclear. Spain's major electric companies, Endesa and Iberdrola, are investigating. Some local media suggest the issue might be related to the European electric grid affecting Spain's national grid. 

A fire in the south-west of France, on Alaric mountain, damaged a high-voltage power line between Perpignan and eastern Narbonne, which could be one possible cause, according to Portugal’s national electric company REN.