In recent hours, Google searches related to blackouts and power outage in Spain have skyrocketed, reflecting the growing interest in the energy crisis of April 28. The massive blackout that affected almost the entire country, as well as parts of Portugal and France, has led to the activation of exceptional security and recovery protocols.

What happened in Spain?

This Monday, April 28, Spain experienced a massive power outage that impacted almost the entire national territory, except for some areas of the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. At 12:32 p.m., large regions of the country were plunged into darkness, paralyzing essential services such as public transportation and triggering a mobility and communications crisis. In addition, Portugal and parts of France also suffered related power cuts.

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What did the Spanish government say?

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, publicly called for calm, urging citizens to avoid travel, use mobile phones only for brief calls, and follow only official information. He also announced that the Executive would take over the management of the blackout in regions such as Andalusia, Extremadura, and Madrid.

\”The Government is working to determine the origin and impact of this incident and is dedicating all resources to resolve it as soon as possible,\” a statement reported.

What did Red Eléctrica say?

The company Red Eléctrica REDEIA described the incident as \”exceptional and totally extraordinary.\” The blackout completely paralyzed railway traffic, with medium and long-distance trains suspended until further notice. The Madrid metro, traffic lights, and urban transportation services were also severely affected, causing traffic chaos in several cities.

What is level 3 emergency?

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, requested the activation of the National Emergency Plan Level 3. This emergency level allows for military intervention to ensure order and safety. It also includes protective measures for the population, logistical support, and the coordination of all administrations in critical situations.

Power service returns to several regions

Five hours after the blackout, Red Eléctrica reported the partial restoration of power supply in regions such as Catalonia, Aragon, Basque Country, Galicia, Asturias, Navarre, Castile and León, Extremadura, and Andalusia. Collaboration with France and Morocco was crucial for this progressive recovery of the electrical grid.

Could an attack in Spain have caused the blackout?

Although there is no definitive official version yet, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) is investigating the possibility of a cyberattack as the origin of the incident. Portugal is also exploring this hypothesis. However, so far, European authorities indicate that there are no clear signs that the blackouts were caused by a cyberattack.

The Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis Montenegro, stated that the problem originated in Spain, although it affected several countries in Western Europe. Investigations by the electrical network operators of Spain and Portugal continue to clarify whether the cause was a technical failure, a fire in southern France, or a possible attack.

What were the immediate consequences for public services?

• Metro and trains: The Madrid metro suspended all its services, and medium and long-distance trains were halted.
• Airports: Airports continued operating with contingency systems, but delays and cancellations were reported.
• Hospitals: Backup power systems were activated.
• Emergency services: Madrid firefighters carried out 174 rescues from stalled elevators.
• Supermarkets: Long queues and empty shelves were reported due to panic buying.

The Ministry of Health guaranteed the operability of hospitals through generators. Nuclear power plants, under the supervision of the Nuclear Safety Council, activated their safety protocols, maintaining stable reactor conditions with emergency diesel generators.

Panic buying

Uncertainty has led people to stock up on essential products such as water, food, and batteries. In addition, several events have been suspended, including the Mutua Madrid Open 2025 tennis tournament, which was interrupted after the power loss in its facilities.

With information from CNN and El País.