Massive Power Outage Hits Spain and Portugal: Airports, Trains, and Roads Disrupted

A massive blackout struck Spain and Portugal late Monday morning, plunging large parts of the Iberian Peninsula into darkness and causing widespread disruption to transportation and essential services.

Electricity grid operators in both countries reported significant supply failures, with power also briefly affected in southern France. Portugal’s grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), confirmed that much of the peninsula experienced outages, while Spain’s Red Eléctrica said it was collaborating with energy providers to restore service. Authorities are still investigating the cause.

The outage wreaked havoc on daily life. Traffic lights went dark across cities, forcing police in Portugal to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to drive cautiously. "Reduce your speed and pay extra attention," officials advised.

In Madrid, roadways quickly descended into chaos as traffic lights failed. Witnesses described navigating through intersections without signals, with vehicles competing for passage.

Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martinez Almeida, appealed to residents to limit their movements and to contact emergency services only in truly urgent situations. Emergency responders were prioritized to handle the situation on the ground.