A widespread and unprecedented power outage swept across Spain and Portugal on Monday, April 28, plunging millions into darkness and causing severe disruptions to transportation, communication, and essential services. The blackout, which also briefly affected parts of southern France and Andorra, began at approximately 12:30 PM local time, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reporting a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts-about 60% of the nation’s electricity demand-in just five seconds.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also addressed the public, stating, “We are working together to respond quickly to the power outage that is still affecting the country. We are in constant contact with security forces, civil protection, the armed forces, hospitals and fuel supply companies to ensure response capacity in essential infrastructure and services.” He further emphasised, “There is no time to waste.” Montenegro also described the situation as a “domino effect” that likely originated in Spain and highlighted Portugal’s energy vulnerability due to its exclusive reliance on Spain’s grid.
Transport systems paralyzed
The outage brought public transportation to a standstill. In Spain, the national railway operator Renfe halted all services, including long-distance, regional, and commuter trains. Madrid’s metro system was evacuated, and tunnels such as those on the M-30 ring road were closed due to safety concerns. In Portugal, Lisbon’s metro and tram networks ceased operations, and traffic lights across major cities failed, leading to significant congestion and accidents.
Air travel was also severely affected. Airports in Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon experienced power failures, causing flight delays and cancellations. Airline TAP Air Portugal advised passengers to avoid traveling to airports until further notice, while easyJet reported disruptions to its flight schedules.
⚡ MASSIVE BLACKOUT IN EUROPE
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 28, 2025
Residents in Spain, Portugal, France, and Belgium report major outages.
Airports and subways shut down, communication networks hit.
Madrid's Barajas Airport is out of service, El Mundo reports.
No official cause confirmed yet. Chaos unfolds. pic.twitter.com/vZyJOjhEwj
Communication and essential services disrupted
The blackout disrupted mobile networks and internet services, leaving residents unable to make calls or access online information. ATMs and electronic payment systems were rendered inoperative, leading to long queues at the few functioning cash machines. Hospitals switched to backup generators, but concerns arose over the capacity to maintain critical care services. In some areas, water supply systems failed due to the lack of power for pumps, prompting panic buying of bottled water.
Authorities in both countries declared states of emergency. Spain deployed 30,000 police officers to assist with traffic control and public safety, while Portugal’s government convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the crisis. By late Monday evening, power had been restored to approximately 60% of Spain and most of Portugal, with efforts ongoing to fully stabilise the grid.
Investigating the cause
The exact cause of the blackout remains under investigation. Spain’s grid operator, Red Eléctrica, cited a failure in the connection with France, while Portugal’s operator, REN, suggested that a rare atmospheric phenomenon may have contributed to the outage. Although initial fears of a cyberattack were raised, authorities have found no evidence to support this theory.
Imagine being stranded at this airport — no flights, no power, no internet, no food, not even a working ATM
— Uncensored News (@Uncensorednewsw) April 29, 2025
That’s the chaos at #Lisbon Airport as a massive blackout hits #Portugal
Power is slowly returning, but full restoration may take a week pic.twitter.com/YeJaVVCSaJ
Airport operational status
As of Tuesday morning, 29 April 2025, major airports across Spain and Portugal have largely resumed operations. However, residual delays and limited services persist in certain locations:
| Airport | Status (as of 29 April 2025, 08:00 CEST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid-Barajas (MAD) | Operational | Services resumed; expect delays due to backlog. |
| Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) | Operational | Flights operating; some delays may occur. |
| Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS) | Operational | Flights resumed after partial closure; check with airlines for updates. |
| Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO) | Operational | Operating on backup power; services restored. |
| Faro Airport (FAO) | Operational | Power restored; flights resumed. |
| Valencia Airport (VLC) | Operational | Services resumed; some delays reported. |
| Seville Airport (SVQ) | Operational | Normal operations resumed. |
| Bilbao Airport (BIO) | Operational | Flights operating; minor delays possible. |
What is the travel advice?
The European Union Commission has been in contact with Spanish and Portuguese authorities to monitor the situation and coordinate support. While the Commission has not issued specific travel advisories, it emphasizes the importance of staying informed through official channels and local news sources.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Spain and Portugal in light of the recent power outage. Travellers are advised to:
- Check with airlines and transport providers for the latest information on flight and train schedules.
- Allow extra time for journeys to and from airports, as residual delays and congestion may persist.
- Stay informed through official channels and local news sources for updates on the situation.
- Exercise caution in areas where traffic lights and public transport systems may still be affected.
While power has been largely restored, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the outage. Travellers should remain vigilant and prepared for potential disruptions.
