Spain is gradually returning to normalcy following a massive blackout that affected almost the entire country on April 28, 2025. Reports indicate that the blackout was triggered by a sudden loss of 60% of the energy demand, leading to a complete collapse of the electrical system. The president of the government, Pedro Sánchez, stated in a press conference that there are still "critical hours" ahead before the situation is fully resolved.
On the morning of April 29, 2025, various lottery draws, including La Quiniela, Bonoloto, and La Primitiva, were successfully held after being postponed due to the blackout. Analysts have expressed continued confidence in Redeia, the country’s electrical grid operator, with firms like Alantra, BNP Paribas, and Bernstein recommending the purchase of shares, while CaixaBank advised maintaining existing holdings.
Red Eléctrica, the operator responsible for Spain’s electrical supply, estimated that it would take between six to ten hours to restore full service. Despite the blackout, the new "blinded" speed cameras from the DGT continued to function autonomously, capturing traffic violations even when regular power was down.
During the blackout, many residents faced significant challenges. Alsina reported that hundreds of thousands of homes were without electricity and internet from 12:30 PM until the early hours of the next day. Tourists found themselves stranded, with two Polish visitors recounting their ordeal of walking for seven hours in search of accommodation.
Renfe, the national rail operator, confirmed it transported passengers from stranded trains, including 23 users of Ouigo and 59 from Iryo, to long-distance services between Zaragoza, Madrid, and Barcelona. Meanwhile, the M-30 tunnels in Madrid reopened, except for the AZCA area, which remained without power.
Despite the restoration efforts, intermittent cuts in mobile telephony persisted across wide areas, affecting online banking, streaming services, and teleworking systems. Major telecommunications companies reported that they had restored 90% of their mobile and internet services, thanks to the use of backup generators.
As the blackout unfolded, essential items like batteries and flashlights quickly sold out in stores, highlighting the public's urgency in preparing for prolonged outages. In the aftermath, many people were left wondering about the safety of food stored in refrigerators, with experts warning that perishables left unrefrigerated for more than two hours could pose serious health risks.
The blackout also had significant implications for various industries. The Alcoa plants in San Cibrao managed to maintain some operations, although challenges persisted. The Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (Fiab) indicated that many food production chains were disrupted, leading to substantial economic losses.
The Association of Self-Employed Workers (ATA) estimated losses among freelancers to be around 1.3 billion euros, particularly impacting the hospitality and retail sectors. Lorenzo Amor, the president of ATA, called for transparency and accountability regarding the incident, which he described as having lasting economic consequences.
In response to the crisis, the Spanish government declared a state of emergency in eight autonomous communities, allowing for more coordinated recovery efforts. The Ministry of the Interior deployed 30,000 security personnel to maintain order during the blackout, while the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia announced a significant deployment of local police to ensure safety.
Amid the chaos, the European Commission expressed its support for Spain and Portugal, coordinating with national authorities to restore the electrical system. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, confirmed her communication with Sánchez to offer assistance.
Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers convened to address the situation, with plans to introduce legislation aimed at reducing the maximum legal workweek from 40 to 37.5 hours. This meeting was focused solely on the blackout, with another session scheduled to discuss previously planned matters.
As recovery efforts continued, Red Eléctrica reported that by 7:00 AM on April 29, 99.95% of the electricity demand had been restored, with all substation services back online. The company emphasized that the recovery process would take time, requiring careful management of resources to ensure stability.
In addition to the logistical challenges faced by the transport sector, the blackout prompted concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants, which were required to activate emergency plans. However, by the early hours of April 29, all Spanish nuclear plants had deactivated their emergency protocols after stabilizing their external power supply.
As the day progressed, various regions began to report the restoration of normal services, including airports, which confirmed they were operational again. The DGT urged citizens to limit unnecessary travel, as many areas still faced disruptions in public transport services.
In a show of solidarity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered technical assistance to Spain in restoring its energy systems, drawing on Ukraine’s experience in managing energy challenges amidst ongoing conflicts.
As the situation in Spain stabilizes, the focus now shifts to understanding the root causes of the blackout. Red Eléctrica has ruled out a cybersecurity attack, attributing the incident to a significant imbalance in power generation and demand that led to the disconnection from the European interconnection system.
Pedro Sánchez concluded the day by expressing gratitude to the citizens for their patience and cooperation during the crisis. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a swift recovery and addressing any underlying issues that contributed to the blackout.
