on May 6, 2025

Blackout paralyzes Spain and Portugal and affects millions of people

on May 6, 2025

Apagão paralisa Espanha e Portugal e afeta milhões de pessoas

Electrical collapse disrupted transportation, telecommunications and basic services in both countries, with impacts that can still be felt.

Millions of people were affected by a massive blackout that hit the Iberian Peninsula on Monday. At 12:30 p.m. in Spain (11:30 a.m. in Portugal), the power grid suffered a widespread collapse, leaving entire cities without power, trains and subways paralyzed, traffic lights turned off, and internet and telephone services interrupted. Around 35,000 passengers were trapped on more than a hundred trains, having to be rescued by emergency teams. Read the full article on here.

Portugal still disconnected from the Spanish grid and paying more for energy

Since the incident, REN (the National Electricity Network) has kept Portugal isolated from the Spanish grid and has announced that the country will continue to operate independently until at least Wednesday. The decision, taken in coordination with the government, has a direct impact on energy prices, which continue to rise. According to REN, Portugal is awaiting more detailed clarification from Spain about the causes of the collapse before deciding on the next steps. The information is from the newspaper Observer.