Questions begin as Spain and Portugal recover from largest power cut in recent European history
Morning opening: How did it happen? Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Jakub Krupa
Lights flickered back to life across most of Spain and Portugal after a massive blackout hit the Iberian peninsula, stranding passengers in trains and elevators while millions lost phone and internet coverage. Power lines connecting pylons of high-tension electricity are seen during sunset at an electricity substation, during the blackout, on the outskirts of Ronda, Spain. Photograph: Jon Nazca/Reuters
As of Tuesday morning, both Spain and Portugal reported power supplies almost back to normal with the network stabilised after the largest power cut in Europe's recent history.
On Monday night, many went to bed in darkness, while others posted videos online celebrating the gradual return of power after many hours off-grid.
But for a continent so willing to talk up its efforts on energy security – with many leaders attending a high-level summit on this only last week – there will be many persistent questions that need urgent answers.
How do you so easily get a blackout affecting some 60 million people? What caused it? And, crucially, can it be prevented from happening at this – or larger – scale ever again?
Many will also study the mis- and disinformation on the causes or the culprits behind the blackout that managed to get traction during the blackout, with both Spanish and Portuguese governments forced to issue direct warning against speculations and reports online.
Despite the energy back on this morning, the disruption is likely to remain for a bit longer, as trains and planes are out of position and other processes are disrupted.
I will bring you all the latest.
It's Tuesday, 29 April 2025, it's Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
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