NewsMassive blackout plunges Spain into chaos, power partially restored

Massive blackout plunges Spain into chaos, power partially restored

The Spanish operator Red Eléctrica has restored power to just over 90% of mainland Spain following an unprecedented, massive power outage. Since midday on Monday, what transpired in Spanish cities can be summed up with one word: chaos.

Spain after the failure. Over 90 per cent of power restored. In the photo, tourists who spent the night at the station in Cordoba.

Images source: © East News | JAVIER SORIANO

ed. Katarzyna Staszko

29 April 2025 07:44

What do you need to know?

The power outage affected mainland Spain as well as parts of Portugal and France. It occurred on Monday around 6:30 PM (GMT) and was the most serious in the country's history.
On Tuesday morning, the operator Red Eléctrica announced the restoration of power at a level of 92%.
The cause of the outage remains unknown. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasised that the authorities are not ruling out any scenario.

On Tuesday morning, at 4:00 AM (GMT), the operator Red Eléctrica announced that power had been restored to 92% of mainland Spain.

The process of restoring power supplies continued throughout the night.

What about the cause of the outage?

The cause of the outage remains unknown, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez noted that the authorities are not ruling out any scenario.

"This has never happened before," emphasised Sánchez, highlighting the uniqueness of the situation.

Spain's worst energy crisis: Blackout wreaks havoc across Iberia

Chaos in Madrid

On Monday, Madrid was brought to a standstill. The metro and trains ceased operation, and many flights at Barajas Airport were cancelled. Traffic lights were not working, forcing the police to manually direct road traffic. People could not exit underground garages because the gates couldn't be raised.

Firefighters in the capital conducted over 200 rescue operations, primarily saving those trapped in lifts.

Power in Madrid's districts began to return around 7:30 PM (GMT), often greeted by residents with bursts of joy. Near Plaza de Castilla in the Chamartín district, shouts of "Long live Spain!" could be heard. The traffic lights on the famous Plaza de Cibeles didn't illuminate until around 9:30 PM (GMT).