Current Events
CREDIT GOES TO energynewsbeat @ YOUTUBE
ACCORDING TO COPILOT:
The blackout in Spain on April 28, 2025, was one of the most severe power outages in recent European history, affecting millions of people across Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of southern France.
What Happened?
• The blackout began at 12:33 p.m. (CEST) and lasted for hours, disrupting critical infrastructure, public transportation, and communications.
• Within five seconds, Spain lost 15 gigawatts of power, which was 60% of the country’s real-time electricity demand.
• The Iberian grid automatically disconnected from the European network to prevent further damage.
Possible Causes
• Grid Instability: Experts believe the blackout was triggered by a system failure that led to instability in Spain’s power network.
• Extreme Temperature Variations: Portugal’s energy company REN suggested that sudden temperature shifts caused oscillations in high-voltage lines, leading to synchronization failures.
• Renewable Energy Challenges: Some experts argue that Spain’s grid was not fully prepared to handle the growing share of renewable energy sources.
• Cyberattack? While officials initially ruled out a cyberattack, Spain’s highest criminal court launched an investigation into whether computer sabotage played a role.
Impact on Daily Life
• Public Transport: Trains, subways, and traffic lights stopped working, causing chaos in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
• Airports: Lisbon’s main airport closed terminals, while Spanish airports operated on backup power.
• Businesses & Government: Spain’s parliament shut down, and the Madrid Open postponed matches.
• Telecommunications: Mobile networks went down, leaving millions without service.
Restoration Efforts
• By Tuesday morning, 99% of Spain’s power capacity was restored.
• France provided emergency electricity, supplying up to 2,000 MW to Spain.
• Spain’s government set up a special commission to investigate the cause and prevent future outages.
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