Key Points

• A massive power outage hit Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, disrupting critical infrastructure, with the cause still under investigation.
• It seems likely that a grid failure caused the outage, though a cyberattack is being investigated but not confirmed.
• The Spanish government has been transparent, stating no conclusive cause yet, while handling the incident with emergency measures.
• There are inconsistencies, with some suggesting a cyberattack and others pointing to grid issues or weather, creating controversy.
• Research suggests the outage impacted millions, with power gradually restored, but the exact cause remains unclear.

Situation SummaryOn April 28, 2025, a significant power outage affected Spain and Portugal, starting around 12:30 p.m. local time. It paralyzed critical infrastructure like airports, metro systems, and telecommunications, impacting millions. By 11:00 p.m., 50% of the electricity supply was restored, with full recovery expected by 1:00 a.m. This is considered the worst outage in Spain’s recent history, far surpassing a 2021 incident caused by a water bomber plane.Government Transparency and Incident HandlingThe Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has maintained transparency by acknowledging the lack of conclusive information on the cause and promising updates. Emergency measures included declaring states of emergency in regions like Andalusia and Madrid, deploying 15,000 National Police and 15,000 Civil Guard, and collaborating with France and Morocco. Red Eléctrica activated restoration plans, relying on hydroelectric power, while hospitals used generators to minimize impact.Inconsistencies and ControversiesThere are conflicting reports on the cause: some, including Portuguese Minister Manuel Castro Almeida, suggest a cyberattack, but high-level officials like Sánchez and António Costa deny any evidence. Red Eléctrica’s director mentioned network oscillations, while REN denied an atmospheric phenomenon, creating controversy around the true cause, which remains under investigation.

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