Portugal and Spain hit by massive power outage

Large areas of Spain and Portugal experienced a major power outage today, causing chaos in cities and towns. Traffic lights stopped working, roads became gridlocked, and public services were disrupted. The small country of Andorra was also affected by the electricity failure.

The power cut began in the morning hours, hitting cities like Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona. In Madrid, videos shared on social media showed cars stuck at intersections without working traffic lights. Drivers honked and argued as they tried to navigate the(chaotic) streets. Public transportation, including trains and buses, faced delays.

Authorities have not yet explained why the outage occurred. Red Electrica, Spain’s power grid operator, stated they are working with energy companies to fix the issue. As of this afternoon, some regions still have no electricity.

1. Transport Chaos: Without traffic lights, accidents were reported in Madrid and Lisbon. Police officers directed traffic manually in busy areas.

2. Business Disruptions: Shops, restaurants, and offices closed temporarily. ATMs and payment systems stopped working in some places.

3. Public Safety: Hospitals switched to backup generators, but some patients reported delays in treatments.

Spain’s government has called for an urgent investigation. Energy Minister Teresa Ribera said, “We are prioritizing restoring power to critical services like hospitals and emergency teams.” Portugal’s Prime Minister, António Costa, advised citizens to stay calm and avoid non-essential travel.

In Andorra, officials confirmed the outage affected border towns. The country relies on Spain’s power grid, making it vulnerable during such failures.

Experts suggest three likely reasons:

1. Technical Failure: Aging power lines or equipment might have malfunctioned.

2. Overloaded Grid: High electricity demand due to extreme weather could strain the system.

3. Cyberattack: No evidence exists yet, but officials have not ruled it out.

This is not the first major outage in the region. In July 2021, a similar blackout left millions without power in Spain after a sudden surge in demand. Experts warn that climate change and outdated infrastructure could lead to more frequent outages.

• Engineers are inspecting power stations and transmission lines.

• Governments are urging people to save electricity until the grid stabilizes.

• Schools in affected areas may remain closed tomorrow if power isn’t restored.

Many took to social media to share videos of dark streets and long lines at gas stations. María López, a Madrid resident, told reporters, “This feels like a step backward. We need better infrastructure.”