Lights flickered back to life across most ofSpainandPortugalafter a massive blackout hit the Iberian peninsula, stranding passengers in trains and elevators while millions lost phone and internet coverage.
As of Tuesday morning, both Spain and Portugal reported power suppliesalmost back to normalwith the network stabilised afterthe largest power cut in Europe’s recent history.
On Monday night, many went to bed in darkness, while others posted videos online celebrating the gradual return of power after many hours off-grid.
But for a continent so willing to talk up its efforts on energy security – with many leaders attending a high-level summit on this only last week – there will bemany persistent questions that need urgent answers.
How do you so easily get a blackout affecting some 60 million people? What caused it? And, crucially,can it be prevented from happening at this – or larger – scale ever again?
Many will also study themis- and disinformation on the causes or the culprits behind the blackout that managed to get traction during the blackout, with both Spanish and Portuguese governments forced to issue direct warning against speculations and reports online.
Despite the energy back on this morning, the disruption is likely to remain for a bit longer, as trains and planes are out of position and other processes are disrupted.
I will bring you all the latest.
It’sTuesday, 29 April 2025, it’sJakub Krupahere, and this isEurope Live.
Good morning.
Portuguese media are reporting thatthe Lisbon Metro was still downearlier today as the country reels off yesterday’s blackout.
Service is expected to be gradually resuming throughout the morning with first lines expected to be back up by now, but the status update monitoring tool on their website does not seem to be working.
Spanish prime ministerPedro Sánchezsaid this morningthat 99.95% of energy demand has been restored in Spain, with 100% of substations back operational, as he headed for another meeting of the national security council.
“Thank you to all citizens for once again being an example of responsibility and civic spirit,” he said.
The Portuguese government is also expected to meet later this morning. It earlier issuesa short social media updateconfirming the return of largely normal operations.
Lights flickered back to life across most ofSpainandPortugalafter a massive blackout hit the Iberian peninsula, stranding passengers in trains and elevators while millions lost phone and internet coverage.
As of Tuesday morning, both Spain and Portugal reported power suppliesalmost back to normalwith the network stabilised afterthe largest power cut in Europe’s recent history.
On Monday night, many went to bed in darkness, while others posted videos online celebrating the gradual return of power after many hours off-grid.
But for a continent so willing to talk up its efforts on energy security – with many leaders attending a high-level summit on this only last week – there will bemany persistent questions that need urgent answers.
How do you so easily get a blackout affecting some 60 million people? What caused it? And, crucially,can it be prevented from happening at this – or larger – scale ever again?
Many will also study themis- and disinformation on the causes or the culprits behind the blackout that managed to get traction during the blackout, with both Spanish and Portuguese governments forced to issue direct warning against speculations and reports online.
Despite the energy back on this morning, the disruption is likely to remain for a bit longer, as trains and planes are out of position and other processes are disrupted.
I will bring you all the latest.
It’sTuesday, 29 April 2025, it’sJakub Krupahere, and this isEurope Live.
Good morning.