Spain power outage: What caused it? Here’s what we know

Millions of people in Spain have been affected by a power outage that has paralyzed much of the country. Transportation services have been suspended, including railways, leaving hundreds of people stranded. But what exactly happened? Here’s everything we know about the Spain power outage and what caused the blackout that has thrown the Spanish community into chaos.

What caused the power outage in Spain?

Spanish authorities have yet to report the exact cause or origin of the blackout. The national power grid operator stated that the reasons remain unclear but that investigations are ongoing. Initially, there were concerns about a possible cyberattack on the power grid, but the European Union has ruled this out, stating that there is no evidence to suggest a cyberattack occurred.

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Other sources suggest that the Spain power outage may have been caused by extreme temperature fluctuations in the country’s interior, which triggered unusual oscillations in ultra-high voltage lines (400 kV)—a phenomenon known as “induced atmospheric vibration.” This led to synchronization failures between electrical systems.

How is the blackout affecting Spain?

Large areas of Spain have been impacted by significant power outages, causing traffic lights to fail and creating chaos in transport hubs and stations. Rail traffic across the country has come to a complete halt.

According to Adif, the public company responsible for railway infrastructure, all train services have been suspended until further notice. Fuel stations are also not operational, forcing thousands of motorists to abandon their vehicles due to a lack of gasoline.

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Spain power outage affects Portugal

Spain wasn’t the only country affected by the blackout—Portugal has also experienced widespread electricity cuts. According to Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the outage has left millions of people without power across the Iberian Peninsula.

The Portuguese government has also been unable to identify the cause of the power cut but confirmed that it did not originate in Portugal. Instead, they stated it began in Spain and have urged Spanish authorities to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

How long could the blackout last?

Restoration efforts are underway. The Spanish grid operator has said they are working around the clock to restore electricity as quickly as possible, though the process could take between six and ten hours. Some areas of Spain have already begun to regain power.

However, electrical system experts warn that the blackout could last longer than ten hours, depending on the extent of the infrastructure damage, the precise location of the fault, and the grid’s stability during the reconnection process.

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In some parts of the country, electricity could return within approximately six hours, but in rural areas or regions where the infrastructure was more severely damaged, it may take longer. Full restoration of service could take between 24 and 48 hours.

What is a blackout?

A blackout is a sudden interruption in the power supply. When prolonged, it can have a significant impact on daily life, affecting both the community and the economy. Such outages can disrupt communications, halt the supply of drinking water, and bring transportation systems to a standstill. They also force the closure of businesses, supermarkets, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other essential services. Additionally, blackouts can lead to the spoilage of perishable food and the contamination of water sources.

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