On April 28, 2025, a massive power outage hit all of Spain, forcing numerous regions to suspend classes and disrupt daily life. The blackout, which began around 12:30 PM, left many areas without electricity, prompting immediate responses from local and regional authorities.
The Alicante City Council announced on the evening of April 28 that school activities would be canceled for Tuesday, April 29, due to the lack of a guaranteed complete power supply. However, schools will remain open to provide basic care for students. Other municipalities in the province, including Torrevieja, Elche, Alcoy, Finestrat, and Xixona, also confirmed class cancellations, adhering to recommendations from educational and emergency authorities.
In response to the situation, the University of Alicante (UA) suspended all academic and work activities for April 29, with plans to provide further instructions regarding Wednesday's activities later in the day. Similarly, the Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH) announced a suspension of all academic activities until 3 PM on April 29, although work activities would continue unless hindered by the ongoing energy crisis.
Renfe, the Spanish railway operator, reported that several trains were affected by the blackout. The Euromed 01100 Figueres-Alicante was stranded in Castellón, while the Euromed 01113 Alicante-Barcelona stopped in Oropesa. Additionally, the Alvia 04343 Alicante-Santander train had to be towed to Madrid. Local and regional administrations urged residents to follow official guidelines and exercise caution while traveling as emergency services worked to restore the electrical grid.
Further north, the Community of Madrid reacted quickly to the blackout, with the Ministry of Education announcing that all public and subsidized schools would remain open on April 29, but without classes. This decision aimed to accommodate students whose parents could not keep them at home, ensuring teachers would be present for supervision.
Galicia also suspended classes, including daycare centers and facilities for the elderly, to avoid incurring fuel costs for its extensive school transport network. The regional government justified this measure as a necessary step to manage resources effectively during the outage. Aragón followed suit, opening schools without advancing any academic material for the day, as announced by Education Minister Tomasa Hernández.
In a coordinated effort, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, La Rioja, Murcia, Andalusia, and Comunidad Valenciana requested a national emergency declaration. In these regions, schools will be open but will not conduct teaching, following directives from Civil Protection. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the government is leading the response to the blackout and coordinating actions across all autonomous communities.
Some municipalities, especially in rural areas, reported challenges in opening educational centers due to a lack of generators. In urban centers like Toledo and Zaragoza, local governments set up alternative spaces to care for students. Authorities recommended parents consult official websites and communication channels for updates regarding the situation.
In Andalucía, the Ministry of Education announced that all schools in Granada would be open on April 29, but without teaching activities. The complementary dining service would only be provided if conditions allowed for safe operation. Meanwhile, the University of Granada (UGR) confirmed that its activities would return to normal once the power supply was restored and public transport resumed.
As the blackout continued, the Government of Castilla-La Mancha announced the suspension of all educational activities in public schools and the University of Castilla-La Mancha for April 29. This decision was made to limit unnecessary travel and ensure the safety of students and staff amid the ongoing emergency. Healthcare activities that were not urgent were also suspended to conserve energy for critical services.
Emergency centers in Primary Care remained open, with health services assuring that generators were operational to provide energy for critical patients. The government activated a plan to address the situation, with ongoing assessments conducted by the Centro de Coordinación Operativo Integrado (Cecopi). A meeting was scheduled for 11 PM on April 28 to evaluate the situation's progress.
In total, 20 trains were reported to be stopped in Castilla-La Mancha, affecting approximately 4,500 passengers. Authorities were closely monitoring these incidents to address the needs of stranded travelers, including evacuations and transport of essential supplies.
As the situation unfolded, the activation of emergency level 3 across eight autonomous communities meant that the central government assumed control over various responsibilities previously managed by regional authorities. This included the management of educational facilities, where many schools opted to remain open to provide a safe space for children, even if no formal instruction occurred.
Pedro Sánchez urged families to follow guidance from educational institutions to prevent confusion during this unprecedented situation. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the blackout, which affected not only education but also extracurricular activities, sports competitions, and parent meetings across the country.
As the day progressed, it became clear that the blackout had significant implications for the entire nation, with authorities working diligently to restore power and ensure the safety of citizens. While some regions began to see improvements, the full restoration of services remained uncertain as emergency teams continued their efforts.
The blackout has raised questions about the resilience of Spain's infrastructure and the measures needed to prevent future occurrences. As families adapt to the current challenges, the government is committed to providing updates and support as the situation evolves.
