Massive power outages are Spain, Portugal; European grid failure, burning in France probably causes | Today news

On Monday (April 28), a widespread and unprecedented power failure hit Spain, Portugal and parts of the south of France that severely disrupted the daily lives of millions. The interruption, which started around the afternoon, left millions without electricity, which influenced Metro networks, telephone lines, traffic lights and ATMs. Officials are still investigating the cause of the eclipse, with initial reports indicating problems within the European electricity network. The power failure left major cities, including Madrid and Lisbon, in darkness. Spain’s public broadcaster reported that the interruption began shortly after noon, causing widespread disruptions. Metro stations, the Parliament of Spain in Madrid, and many parts of the country have been affected. A chart on Spain’s electricity networks website showed a sharp decline in demand, from 27,500 MW to nearly 15,000 MW at about 12:15 p.m. In Portugal, the capital Lisbon, along with the northern and southern regions, experienced a total eclipse. “It seems to have been a problem with the distribution network, apparently in Spain,” Portuguese Minister Leeitão Amaro said in a statement. Power distributor e-reasons confirmed that the interruption was linked to the European electricity system, which forced them to cut power in specific areas to stabilize the network. Transport -Chaos: Train and subways stopped the break, all trains stopped across Spain, leaving passengers stranded, while subway systems in Madrid and Lisbon were also closed. “The power failure has stopped trains across the country,” said Adif, Spain’s railway operator. In Lisbon, subway cars were evacuated, and the disruption led to delays and cancellations at airports, including Madrid’s Barajas International. The play at the Madrid Open Tennist tournament was suspended due to the power failure, while television footage shows empty metro stations and trains in tunnels. The traffic department of Spain requested motorists to stay off the roads, as many traffic lights stopped working, causing significant congestion. Emergency measures and power repair efforts, as the eclipse affected a joint population of more than 50 million people, the authorities worked quickly to restore power. The Spanish electricity operator Red Eléctrica announced that power has been restored in parts of the north and south of the country. “We continue to work to bring power back,” the company said, adding that the full recovery could last between six and ten hours. In Portugal, backup systems were activated at hospitals and emergency services, while police were deployed to direct traffic. Portuguese authorities have confirmed that gas stations have been influenced, as well as ATM and electronic payment systems. ‘Several incidents’ occurred at airports across Spain, with passengers stranded and disrupted. Possible causes: European network or fire in France The cause of the power failure remains unclear. The Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica did not speculate on the matter, but recognized the event as ‘exceptional and extraordinary’. Portuguese authorities have suggested that the problem arose from the electricity distribution network in Spain. “It seems to be a problem with the European electricity system,” a spokeswoman for e-reasons said. In addition, reports from France indicate a possible link to a fire in the southwest of France, near the Alarian mountain, which damaged a high voltage power line between Perpignan and Narbonne. It is not confirmed as the direct cause, but it is considered a contributing factor. Continuous investigations held both the Spanish and Portuguese government emergency sessions to monitor the situation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Red Eléctrica’s headquarters for updates on recovery efforts. In Portugal, the Cabinet met to judge the situation and coordinate the response. While the exact cause of the interruption is still being investigated, authorities are working to restore full power in both countries. The eclipse also influenced parts of France, and reports indicate that citizens in Andorra and some areas of Belgium experienced interruptions. Attempts to deal with the interruption in the absence of electricity and mobile networks, many residents in Spain and Portugal have turned to radios for news updates. “People came out in the streets with their smartphones and tried to turn to the network,” AFP reports in Madrid and Barcelona. Meanwhile, industrial towns in Spain had an increase in demand for generators, as residents sought alternatives to cope with the continued disruption. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection in Portugal confirmed that backup power systems in critical services were in operation, but challenges continued as the country worked to restore full electricity in the affected areas. (With input of AFP, AP) first published: 28 Apr 2025, 07:31 PM IST