Photo credit: arstechnica.com

Massive Electrical Blackout Affects Iberian Peninsula

National grid operators in Spain and Portugal have confirmed that a severe electrical blackout has affected the Iberian Peninsula today, commencing shortly after 12:30 pm Central European Summer Time (10:30 am UTC; approximately 6:30 am US Eastern Daylight Time). The outage has led to a nearly total loss of electricity in Spain, Portugal, the Principality of Andorra, and several areas of southeastern France.

The consequences of the blackout are extensive. In major cities such as Madrid, public transportation systems are disrupted, with trains halted and airports unable to function. Numerous businesses and schools have also closed their doors. While many citizens can still utilize cellular networks for communication, thanks to battery or generator backup systems at most cell towers, the situation remains critical.

Data from Red Eléctrica indicates the severity of the outage affecting electrical demand across the region.

According to Bloomberg energy correspondent Akshat Rathi, Spanish grid operator Red Electrica has attributed the power failure to “grid oscillation,” a situation arising when the electrical system cannot manage oscillations caused by changes in load and supply. Rathi further referenced journalist Ryan Gallagher, highlighting that cyberattack concerns have been dismissed, steering the focus toward a technical malfunction.

Preliminary reviews into the blackout hint at a technical fault rather than a cyber incident, as confirmed by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). A spokesperson for ENISA remarked, “Current investigations appear to suggest a technical or cable-related issue. We are closely monitoring the developments and coordinating with national and EU authorities.”

Tiago Carvalho, a resident in Lisbon, shared his perspective directly with Ars. He reported that many banks and supermarkets in the city have been shut for hours, with only a few shops and eateries functioning, accepting cash payments only. While tourists in Lisbon continue to enjoy the sunny weather, locals are reportedly stockpiling supplies in anticipation of extended power outages, which may last three days or more. Carvalho noted that his mobile 5G data connection remains active, and when contacted via Discord, he described the unfolding situation as challenging.

Source
arstechnica.com