The Spanish power grid operator, Red Electrica, announced that it is collaborating with energy companies to restore electricity following a significant power outage that impacted large areas of Spain and Portugal on Monday. E-Redes, a company responsible for monitoring the Spanish electricity grid, stated that efforts to reestablish connections are being conducted in phases. They noted, ‘This is a broader issue affecting Europe.’ Reports from Spanish radio indicated that part of the Madrid metro system was being evacuated, and traffic congestion was observed in the city center due to non-functional traffic lights, as reported by Cader Ser Radio. Portugal’s utility company, REN, confirmed that the power outage extended across the Iberian Peninsula, also affecting parts of France. Red Electrica stated it is coordinating with regional energy companies to restore power. A REN spokesperson mentioned, ‘All plans for the phased restoration of energy supply are being activated, in coordination with European energy producers and operators.’ REN is maintaining constant communication with official entities, including the National Civil Protection Authority, while investigating the potential causes of the incident. Local radio stations reported that individuals were trapped in stalled metro cars and elevators. Portuguese police indicated that traffic lights were malfunctioning nationwide, the metro services in Lisbon and Porto were suspended, and train operations were halted. A source from Portugal’s TAP Air noted that Lisbon airport was operating on backup generators, while AENA, which oversees 46 airports in Spain, reported delays in flights across the country.In France, the grid operator RTE reported a temporary outage; however, power has been restored. An investigation into the cause is currently underway.
