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Power Blackout Prompts States of Emergency in Spain, Portugal

An unprecedented blackout struck the Iberian Peninsula on Monday, April 28, 2025, leading to the declaration of national states of emergency in both Spain and Portugal. This massive power outage disrupted essential services, including hospitals, transportation, and communication systems across both countries. Spain experienced a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts—approximately 60% of its national electricity demand—within seconds, leading to widespread disruptions. ​ The exact cause of the blackout remains under investigation. Initial reports suggested a rare weather phenomenon called “induced atmospheric vibration” might have triggered the event, but Portugal’s grid operator later cast doubt on this explanation. Both countries have ruled out cyberattacks as the cause. In response to the crisis, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened private energy firms to assist in the investigation and emphasized the need for grid modernization to support the country’s renewable energy infrastructure. Portugal, meanwhile, requested an independent audit by the European regulatory agency to assess the blackout’s causes and implications. ​ The blackout has highlighted vulnerabilities in the region’s power grid, particularly concerning the integration of renewable energy sources and the need for enhanced grid resilience. Both nations are now focusing on strengthening their energy infrastructures to prevent future occurrences. [Source: Wikipedia, Houston Chronicle, AP News, The Guardian]