Induced Atmospheric Vibration: Potential Cause of Spain and Europe Blackout

April 29, 2025 | 01:51 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Power outages are not exactly rare, especially during large-scale infrastructure overhauls. But, the recent Spain and Portugal outage, which persisted for nearly ten hours has raised serious concerns, sparked widespread disruption and brought daily life to a standstill across both countries. 

With the underlying cause still under investigation, the lingering uncertainty has kept the public on high alert, leaving residents uneasy in the wake of one of the most extensive power failures in recent memory. 

Power Outage 

The massive blackout stretched across central Spain and Portugal, cutting power to millions and highlighting the sheer scale of the disruption. Al Jazeera also reported brief outages in parts of southern France, though service there was swiftly restored—unlike the prolonged darkness that gripped the Iberian Peninsula.

The incident rapidly made international headlines, with its severity sending shockwaves far beyond Europe. Eduardo Prieto, head of operations for the Spanish power grid operator Red Eléctrica, described the grid collapse as both "exceptional" and "extraordinary," according to AP News.

Authorities on both sides of the border are still working to determine the cause. Portugal’s National Cybersecurity Center has so far ruled out a cyberattack as the likely source; however, investigations remain ongoing.

In response to growing public concern, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council. Similarly, Portugal’s government held a separate emergency session at the prime minister’s residence to coordinate their response.

Reports from USA Today and the Independent have pointed to a striking theory from Portugal’s grid operator, REN, suggesting that the Spain and Portugal power outage may have been triggered by “extreme temperature fluctuations” and “atmospheric vibrations.” 

What are the Effects? 

The Spain and Portugal outage began at midday on a Monday, plunging both nations into sudden disarray. In cities like Madrid and Lisbon, office buildings closed and traffic descended into chaos as non-functioning signals brought intersections to a standstill. Barcelona’s streets spilled over with frustrated pedestrians as public services ground to a halt. 

The disruption rippled across critical infrastructure, paralyzing transportation networks. Rail services were severely affected, forcing emergency responders and rail staff to evacuate some 35,000 passengers from over 100 stranded trains. 

Spain’s airports switched to emergency backup systems to maintain operations, though delays were unavoidable, according to AP News. Lisbon’s airport, however, was not as fortunate, as terminals closed and tourists were left waiting outside for updates on their flights. 

Telecommunication systems also took a hit. CBS News reported that mobile networks failed in some regions, making it impossible to place calls or online activity. ATM services across the Iberian Peninsula were also disrupted, cutting off access to cash and fueling panic among residents, tourists, and officials alike. 

What’s the Situation Now?

While a state of emergency is still administered in Spain, significant progress has been made in power restoration across the country. According to local reports, the entire restoration may take some time. Nevertheless, both governments are working tirelessly to conclude this unprecedented blackout. 

As both nations press forward with their investigations and system repairs, questions about long-term resilience and crisis preparedness have come sharply into focus. For the moment, life is cautiously returning to normal. However, the lasting impact of this historic outage will likely reshape how both countries, and perhaps much of Europe, prepare for the unexpected in the future.

Editor's Choice: Massive Power Outage Plunges Spain and Portugal into Chaos

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Massive Power Outage Plunges Spain and Portugal into Chaos

3 jam lalu

ICO and BBVA: The Spanish Banks Behind Rp6.49tn Loan to Indonesia's Finance Ministry

11 hari lalu

Indonesian Gov't Signs Rp6.5 Trillion Loan Deal with Spain to Fund Maritime Project

12 hari lalu

Xi Jinping Meets Spanish PM as U.S. Trade War Brings China Closer to the EU

15 hari lalu

Spain's Housing Crisis: 5 Things to Know as Protests Erupt Nationwide

21 hari lalu

Tens of Thousands of Spanish Citizens Protest over Spain's Housing Crisis

22 hari lalu

Spanish Ambassador Commends Goenawan Mohamad's Impact on Journalism

40 hari lalu

Ten Best Countries for Americans to Move to: Ready to Live Abroad?

46 hari lalu

10 Most Peaceful Countries in the World According to the Global Peace Index

48 hari lalu

Chile's Power Grid Slowly Restored After Major Outage Plunges the Country to Darkness

26 Februari 2025