On April 29, 2025, the Xunta de Galicia announced the suspension of classes across all educational institutions, from nurseries to universities, due to a widespread blackout affecting Spain. This unprecedented power outage began around 12:30 PM on April 28, leaving millions without electricity and disrupting daily life across the Iberian Peninsula.
The blackout, which also impacted Portugal, was triggered by a "strong oscillation" in the electricity supply, leading to a disconnection from the European grid. This resulted in significant challenges, including failures in telecommunications, internet services, and transportation systems. The Spanish government has since declared a national emergency and activated a crisis committee to manage the situation.
Alfonso Rueda, president of the Xunta, explained the rationale behind the decision to suspend classes. "It is necessary to prioritize and limit unnecessary travel to save fuel," he stated during an extraordinary press conference. Galicia boasts the most extensive school transport network in Spain, which would incur substantial fuel costs if operations continued amid the crisis.
In addition to halting educational activities, the Xunta has also suspended all federated sports events for the day. However, Rueda assured that essential services, including health centers and hospitals, would remain operational. "We are functioning with the Xunta's emergency generator," he added, emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthcare services during the crisis.
As the blackout unfolded, Red Eléctrica, the national electricity grid operator, reported that efforts to restore power were underway but would take several hours. By the evening of April 28, approximately 62% of substations had been restored, allowing for 43.28% of energy demand to be met. However, many areas, especially in Galicia, continued to experience outages.
The blackout's effects were felt far and wide, with reports of people trapped in elevators and widespread disruptions in public transportation. In Madrid, the metro system was closed, and traffic was severely congested due to non-functioning traffic lights. Eurocontrol reported significant delays at airports in Madrid and Lisbon, with several flights canceled, leading to chaos at terminals.
In response to the overwhelming number of calls to emergency services, the 112 hotline received hundreds of reports from individuals trapped in elevators across Galicia. Local authorities were quick to respond, deploying emergency services to assist those in need. Rueda urged citizens to remain calm and to avoid unnecessary travel.
The Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, indicated that the origin of the blackout was likely rooted in the Spanish electrical grid. The situation prompted the Spanish government to request that autonomous communities elevate their emergency response levels to manage the crisis effectively.
As the day progressed, the recovery efforts continued, with Red Eléctrica working tirelessly to restore full service. By 8:35 PM, reports indicated that 350 out of 680 substations had been reactivated, and the government was optimistic about gradually returning to normalcy.
Despite the challenges, essential services remained available. Hospitals were operating with backup generators, ensuring that medical care could continue without significant interruption. Rueda reassured the public that healthcare facilities were equipped to handle emergencies, even amidst the ongoing power struggles.
As the crisis unfolded, speculation arose regarding the potential causes of the blackout, including theories of a cyberattack. However, officials cautioned against jumping to conclusions, stating that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the outage.
In the meantime, businesses across the region faced significant operational challenges. Many establishments closed their doors due to the inability to process card payments, while others struggled to maintain basic services without electricity. The economic impact of the blackout was becoming increasingly apparent as the hours passed.
As the night wore on, citizens were left grappling with the implications of the blackout. Many questioned the safety of perishable food in their refrigerators, with experts advising that food could remain safe for a limited time without power. The situation was further complicated by the fact that many people were unable to access information or communicate with others due to the failure of telecommunications.
Looking ahead, the government planned to hold further briefings to keep the public informed about the restoration efforts and the status of the electrical grid. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the need for patience and cooperation as authorities worked to resolve the crisis.
As the sun set on April 28, the full extent of the blackout's impact was still unfolding. With communities banding together to support one another, the resilience of the Spanish people was on display. Rueda's call for calm and rationality resonated as families navigated the uncertainty of the situation, hoping for a swift return to normal life.
