Electricity has been restored to nearly the entire Iberian Peninsula following a massive power outage that left millions without electricity, disrupted train services, and stranded people in elevators across Spain and Portugal.
Widespread Power Outage Paralyses the Iberian Peninsula
The blackout, which began on Tuesday, affected nearly all of mainland Spain and Portugal, plunging homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure into darkness. Internet and mobile phone services were also widely disrupted during the outage.
Spain’s national grid operator, Red Eléctrica de España (REE), confirmed that over 99% of the country’s electricity supply had been restored by late Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, Portugal’s energy authority reported power was back on for approximately 6.2 million of the country’s 6.5 million households by early Wednesday.
Nearly 60 Million Affected Across Spain and Portugal
The blackout impacted nearly every region on the Iberian Peninsula, home to a combined population of nearly 60 million people. Public transport, communication systems, and emergency services faced significant disruption, though no serious injuries were reported.
Cause of Blackout Under Investigation Amid Cyberattack Rumours
Authorities in both countries are still investigating the exact cause of the outage. Although some reports on social media and messaging apps speculated about a potential cyberattack, no official confirmation has been provided.
Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated the origin of the incident was “probably in Spain,” while Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged citizens not to speculate and warned of the risks associated with spreading misinformation during crisis events.
Officials Urge Caution as Grid Stability Returns
As power returns to normal levels, energy regulators and cybersecurity experts continue to monitor the stability of the grid. Both governments emphasised transparency and have promised detailed reports once the investigation concludes.
