photo: TRT World / X (Twitter)/Stranded trains in Spain
The Iberian Peninsula didn’t just lose power—it lost control. With Spain and Portugal plunged into darkness, trains stopped, airports stalled, and Europe's energy security is facing its biggest wake-up call in years.
Tens of millions across Spain and Portugal were plunged into darkness on April 28, 2025, as a massive and unexplained power outage halted daily life across the Iberian Peninsula. According to HuffPost España, trains, metros, and trams were suspended nationwide, leaving passengers stranded and cities gridlocked without functioning traffic lights.
The blackout began around 12:30 p.m. local time. As reported by NPR, the cause remains unclear, though Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated during a press conference that an unprecedented 60% of Spain's electricity demand was lost within seconds.
Public Transport Grinds to a Halt
Spain's entire rail network came to a standstill, according to Adif, the national railway infrastructure manager. Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed that "it would not be possible to restore medium- and long-distance train services today." Local Cercanías trains were prioritized for recovery once electricity was partially restored.
In Madrid, as reported by The Guardian, the metro network and suburban trains completely shut down, leaving commuters trapped underground. Hundreds of passengers navigated pitch-black tunnels using flashlights, while buses struggled to maintain service amid paralyzed traffic and non-functioning signals.
Airports Operate with Backups, But Flights Hit
Although airports like Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat remained operational thanks to backup generators, numerous flight delays and cancellations occurred, Reuters confirmed. The Spanish airport operator Aena reported that emergency systems helped maintain limited functionality, but traffic reductions were necessary for safety. In Portugal, Lisbon Airport also suffered disruptions, with The Washington Post noting that many flights were delayed as authorities scrambled to restore operations.
Citizens Struggle Amid the Blackout
Beyond transport chaos, the blackout disrupted everyday life on a massive scale. According to The Guardian, internet access collapsed, mobile networks went down, and ATMs stopped working. Businesses were forced to deal in cash, and hospitals relied on backup generators for critical care. In Madrid, the local government raised its emergency plan to Level 2, urging residents to avoid non-essential travel. "It is essential that emergency services can circulate," Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida stated.
Meanwhile, supermarket shelves emptied quickly as citizens rushed to stock up on bottled water, flashlights, and generators. In Lisbon, similar scenes unfolded, with AFP photos showing long queues outside closed metro stations and supermarkets.
What Caused the Massive Outage?
The cause of the blackout remains under investigation. Early reports from REN, Portugal's national grid operator, suggested an "atmospheric phenomenon" caused "anomalous oscillations" in high-voltage lines. The Guardian noted the phenomenon, known as "induced atmospheric vibration," led to "synchronization failures" across interconnected European grids.
However, Spanish officials have not ruled out other causes, including technical failures or even cyberattacks. As reported by Reuters, Spain's cybersecurity authorities said there was no immediate evidence of a cyberattack but investigations were ongoing. Prime Minister Sánchez said, "It’s best to not speculate. We are focusing all resources on restoring electricity first."
Gradual Recovery Across the Peninsula
By evening, partial restoration of power was underway. Red Eléctrica, Spain's national grid operator, reported that 62% of substations were back online and that 43% of power demand was being met. Portugal's REN also confirmed significant progress, with 750,000 customers reconnected by nightfall. However, full recovery was expected to take up to 10 hours, and isolated areas remained without power into the following day.
Spain's Interior Ministry declared a national emergency, deploying 30,000 police officers nationwide to maintain order. Meanwhile, Spain's Ministry of Transport opened 15 major railway stations overnight to shelter stranded passengers, including Madrid Atocha, Barcelona Sants, and Valencia Nord, as reported by Cadena SER. Minister Óscar Puente pointed out that efforts overnight would prioritize repositioning stranded trains and rearming signaling systems to prepare for Tuesday's scheduled services.
Sources: HuffPost España; NPR; Adif; Reuters; The Guardian; The Washington Post; REN; Cadena SER