Asger Risom
Spain, Portugal, and parts of France affected as authorities investigate potential causes
A major power outage swept across parts of Western Europe on Monday, leaving millions in Spain, Portugal, and neighboring regions temporarily without electricity. The disruption paralyzed public transport, grounded flights, and caused widespread chaos across affected areas, as reported by Digi24.
Efforts to Restore Power Underway
Spain’s Red Electrica and Portugal’s REN utility companies reported significant efforts to gradually reconnect the national grids.
Airports like Lisbon’s and Madrid’s Barajas operated on backup generators, while metro services in Madrid, Lisbon, and Porto were suspended. Street traffic was heavily impacted due to non-functioning traffic lights, and hundreds were stranded in elevators and metro stations.
France’s electricity operator RTE confirmed minor outages in border regions, although power there was swiftly restored. Meanwhile, Andorra also experienced disruptions.
Authorities are investigating a broader European grid issue, with some reports suggesting a fire in southwestern France, affecting a high-voltage transmission line between Perpignan and Narbonne, could have played a role.
No Impact in Romania
Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja reassured citizens that Romania’s national grid remains stable, emphasizing that the country is unaffected by the blackout. He noted the severity of such events and the potential economic damage they can cause.
As efforts continue to stabilize energy supplies, European officials have convened emergency meetings to assess vulnerabilities and coordinate responses to prevent future incidents.