A major power outage has disrupted electricity across parts of Spain and Portugal, causing severe disruptions at airports, train stations, and on the roads, including the failure of traffic lights.
Portugal’s grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), confirmed that the power loss affected the entire Iberian Peninsula and some parts of France on Monday morning. Spain’s power grid operator, Red Electrica, announced it was collaborating with energy companies to restore power, stating, “The causes are being analyzed and all resources are being dedicated to solving it.”
The outage led to the failure of screens, lighting, and power sockets in the region. Portugal’s police force advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel, warning that traffic lights might not function. “Reduce your speed and pay extra attention,” they urged, adding, “Prioritise safe driving: your calmness saves lives.”
In Madrid, traffic congestion worsened after the traffic lights stopped working. Luis Ibáñez Jiménez described the situation, saying, “I was driving and suddenly there was no traffic lights … It was a bit of a jungle.” He added, “I saw a massive bus coming, and I had to accelerate a lot to go past it.”
At Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado airport, holidaymakers were left in the dark as queues formed and essential services like air conditioning and water were unavailable. One traveler said that only cash was accepted in the shops.
Spanish train operator Renfe confirmed a national outage, halting trains and causing cancellations. E-Redes, which supplies electricity to mainland Portugal, said it was working to restore connections, adding, “This is a wider European problem.”
