Update on Massive Power Outage That Hit Spain, Portugal, Parts of France; Millions Affected

Governments convene emergency meetings as metro systems halt, airports run on backup, and cities face widespread disruptions across Iberia.

Madrid, April 28, 2025 —
A massive power outage crippled Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on Monday, causing widespread disruptions in public transportation, traffic, and daily life across the Iberian Peninsula.

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Spain and Portugal’s governments convened emergency cabinet meetings after the blackout, which utility operators and officials said originated from a major grid disruption. Portugal’s utility REN and Spain’s Red Electrica confirmed efforts were underway to restore electricity supply in phases, with support from European energy producers.

“All plans for the phased restoration of energy supply are being activated,” said a REN spokesperson, adding that investigations into the cause were ongoing.

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Spanish media reported evacuations from the Madrid underground and widespread traffic jams as traffic lights failed. Hundreds were seen gathering outside office buildings, and police were deployed to manage the chaos.

Madrid’s iconic Cuatro Torres business area, which houses the British Embassy among other major offices, was partially evacuated. Local reports also mentioned people trapped in elevators and stalled metro cars.

In Portugal, Lisbon and Porto’s metro systems were shut down, traffic lights failed nationwide, and train services halted. Lisbon airport operated on backup generators, while Spain’s airport operator AENA reported flight delays at several locations.

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France’s grid operator RTE confirmed a brief outage in parts of the country but said power has since been restored. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.

The blackout has raised urgent questions about the resilience of Europe’s energy infrastructure and possible vulnerabilities in cross-border electricity networks.

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Spain blackout, Portugal power outage, European grid failure, Madrid transport chaos, Lisbon metro shutdown, France electricity outage, Iberian Peninsula, global news