The investigation is underway to determine the source of a significant blackout that swept across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, disrupting trains, ATMs, and traffic signals. This incident marks one of the largest power system failures in Europe’s history.
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Could it be a Cyber Attack?
Both the Spanish electricity grid operator, REE, and the Portuguese government have dismissed the possibility of a cyberattack as the cause of this unprecedented power outage. Eduardo Prieto, REE’s System Operations Chief, addressed the media, stating that the incident originated from a severe power generation loss in southwestern Spain, which subsequently destabilized the entire system and led to its disconnection from the French grid.
“In Portugal, we currently lack any information suggesting a cyberattack or hostile action,” affirmed government spokesperson Antonio Leitao Amaro while speaking to CNN Portugal. “It appears there has been an issue in the power transmission network in Spain.”
Current Explanations
Spanish grid operator Red Electrica issued a statement indicating a “strong oscillation in the power flow” that resulted in a “very significant loss of generation.” This loss exceeded the threshold designed to maintain system stability, ultimately leading to the disconnection from the European grid. As Red Electrica elaborated, the electrical system’s collapse caused voltage drops affecting both the Spanish and Portuguese electrical supply points.
What Causes Power Outages?
Most unplanned power outages on a large scale are often triggered by extreme weather, such as storms, lightning strikes, or high winds. Outages can also occur due to faults at power stations, distribution lines, substations, or other elements of the electricity transmission system. Typically, power cuts last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
Read more: Spain and Portugal dismiss cyberattack claims following blackout
Understanding the Iberian Power Mix
Spain is a leading producer of renewable energy in Europe, and yesterday’s blackout has reignited discussions about whether the inherent volatility of solar and wind energy could render power systems more susceptible to outages. Data from Red Electrica indicates that at the time of the blackout, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy was delivering nearly 59% of Spain’s electricity, while wind power contributed almost 12%, nuclear power approximately 11%, and combined cycle gas plants represented 5%.
Remarkably, within a mere five minutes yesterday, from 12:30 PM to 12:35 PM local time (11:30 AM – 11:35 AM Irish time), solar PV generation plummeted from over 18 GW to just 8 GW.
Factors at Play
A knowledgeable source within the sector indicated that the Spanish grid was operating with minimal “inertia” at the time of the outage. Inertia refers to the energy stored in large rotating masses, such as generators or industrial motors. It plays a crucial role in stabilizing the grid, helping to moderate the rate of frequency change during sudden shifts in demand or generation.
“Under conditions of low inertia, any dip in production can exacerbate the situation, leading to a total system failure. In the event of a blackout, restoring inertia is crucial before systems can be safely brought back online, which requires several hours,” the source explained, preferring to remain anonymous.
Victor Becerra, a professor of power systems engineering at the University of Portsmouth in the UK, emphasized that the Iberian outage highlights the complexity of managing modern energy systems—especially as they increasingly integrate fluctuating renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
