Widespread Power Outage Disrupts Daily Life Across Spain and Portugal

A large-scale power outage hit Spain and Portugal, impacting public transportation and everyday activities, while citizens and local communities demonstrated resourcefulness and kindness amid the crisis.

The Iberian Peninsula was struck by a significant power outage affecting millions as chaos unfolded across Spain and Portugal. The disruption started midday local time, leaving commuters stranded and businesses shuttered.

Peter Hughes, a train passenger, experienced the outage firsthand as his train to Madrid slowed to a halt. Emergency lights flickered before darkness enveloped the carriage, prompting concern among passengers about the dwindling daylight. “It will be getting dark soon, and we could be stuck here for hours,” he said.

The blackout, which also disrupted neighboring regions like Andorra and parts of France, caused traffic lights to fail, metros to shut down, and card payments to crash. Jonathan Emery, trying to reach Madrid, found himself stuck when the train he was on stopped without warning. “Nobody is charging for anything,” he noted, as locals began to drop off supplies.

In the Spanish capital, Madrid, Hannah Lowney was caught in the middle of her grocery shopping when the outage struck, prompting panic among shoppers as they sought alternative means to return home. Mark England, staying in Benidorm, reported that the power went out during lunch, causing chaos in the restaurant.

Schools in Lisbon were affected as well; as the light flickered before disappearing, teacher Emily Thorowgood continued her lesson in darkness, but many parents opted to retrieve their children. Will David, a new resident of Lisbon, experienced the peculiar scenes of pedestrians navigating traffic-free streets due to non-functioning traffic signals.

Initially, mobile networks also faltered, leaving numerous individuals struggling to receive crucial updates. Curtis Gladden in Valencia described the situation as “scary,” while Eloise Edgington in Barcelona faced difficulties as work stalled due to low connectivity.

As time passed, concerns grew for essential resources such as food and fuel. Lesley, a long-time resident of Spain, voiced worries about the prolonged nature of the outage. After nearly two hours of darkness, the national electricity grid operator confirmed attempts were underway to restore power, but Madrid's mayor advised residents to remain where they were for their safety.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened an emergency meeting as disarray continued in cities. Red Electrica, the power operator, projected it could take several hours to restore full power, while the prognosis from Portugal’s REN suggested an extended recovery period potentially lasting a week.

Airports began employing backup generators to maintain flight schedules, but travel uncertainty loomed as passengers found themselves without payment options to secure accommodations in a rapidly changing situation.

As the night approached, many faced dilemmas without clear plans, highlighting not just the impact of the outage but the strength of community responsiveness during an unexpected crisis.