The schools and universities in Andalusia will remain open on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, despite the widespread power outage that affected the region just a day earlier. The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, confirmed in a public address that classes would proceed as planned for both students and teachers, although the region is still recovering from the blackout that began on Monday, April 28, at 12:30 PM.
Moreno stated, "Unless something unexpected happens, children will be in classrooms tomorrow." This announcement comes after concerns about the possibility of suspending educational activities due to the electricity supply being restored to only about 35% of its capacity. However, with the expectation that electricity distribution will be fully restored within six to ten hours, the decision was made to maintain normal operations in schools, as well as in museums and libraries.
The blackout, described by Moreno as an "unprecedented situation," has affected not only Andalusia but also the entire Iberian Peninsula, including parts of Portugal and France. The Andalusian government has requested the central government to activate level 3 of Alert, delegating the management of the emergency to the national authorities. This request aligns with similar appeals from regional leaders in Madrid and Extremadura, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response given the scale of the crisis.
Moreno noted, "The state is the only entity with competencies over the electrical network," highlighting the necessity of federal intervention in managing the situation. He also reassured the public that there have been no significant incidents reported, with the healthcare system functioning adequately despite the challenges posed by the blackout.
By 7:15 PM on Monday, Endesa, the main electricity provider, had managed to restore power to approximately 3.5 million customers, which is over a third of the affected areas including Aragón, Cataluña, and parts of Extremadura. However, the recovery is ongoing, and some schools may remain closed if they are unable to secure a stable electricity supply.
The Ministry of Education had previously suspended face-to-face teaching on Monday afternoon due to the extensive power outage, which led to significant disruptions, including traffic chaos as students were sent home early. The ministry had advised teachers to remain with students until they could be picked up by guardians or until school transportation could arrive.
As of late Monday evening, electricity supply had been restored to about 35% of the population, and the government remains hopeful for a complete recovery soon. Moreno emphasized the importance of remaining calm during this critical time, as the situation continues to evolve.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of modern infrastructure and the impact that such widespread outages can have on daily life. The response from the government highlights the importance of collaboration between regional and national authorities in times of crisis.
In conclusion, while the immediate threat of the blackout appears to be waning, the need for vigilance and preparedness remains paramount as the region navigates the aftermath of this unprecedented event.
