Major Power Outage Hits Spain

Madrid, 28 April 2025 — A massive power outage disrupted daily life across Spain and Portugal on Sunday, impacting major cities, airports, hospitals, and transport networks. Millions of residents and tourists were left without electricity for several hours in what authorities have called an "exceptional and unprecedented event."

Spain’s grid operator, Red Eléctrica Nacional, reported a catastrophic systems failure around midday local time. Meanwhile, Portuguese officials confirmed that critical services in Lisbon and Porto were severely affected, prompting the deployment of emergency generators at hospitals and airports.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez held an emergency meeting with top security and energy officials, stating, "Our immediate priority is the full restoration of essential services and the investigation into the cause of this disruption."

While early speculation pointed to technical failure, Spain’s cybersecurity agency has launched an investigation into whether a cyberattack may have triggered the blackout. Authorities in France also reported minor disruptions in the Basque border region, further fuelling concerns of cross-border vulnerabilities.

Impact on Expats and Travellers

Expat communities and tourists across Spain faced significant challenges, with transport cancellations, loss of internet connectivity, and ATM outages causing widespread inconvenience. The UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals in Spain to stay informed via local news channels and to prepare for potential rolling blackouts in the coming days.

At Madrid-Barajas Airport, hundreds of flights were delayed, and emergency lighting was activated to assist passengers. In Barcelona, the Metro and bus services were partially suspended, leaving many stranded.

Restoration Timeline

Red Eléctrica estimates full grid restoration in Spain within 6 to 10 hours, although isolated regions may face longer disruptions. Portugal’s recovery is expected to take up to one week, according to national authorities.

As investigations continue, residents are urged to conserve energy and minimise non-essential travel.