Massive Blackout Leaves Spain, Portugal, and France in the Dark!

Traffic lights stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday.Armando Franca/AP

Spain, Portugal, and parts of France face a massive blackout, leaving millions without power and causing chaos at airports, hospitals, and telecom networks.

A major power outage hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of France this Monday, leaving millions without electricity. Official sources report that the blackout began late in the morning and quickly spread, affecting essential services like hospitals, airports, and telecommunications.

Madrid’s Barajas International Airport lost power, grounding flights and stranding passengers. In Lisbon and Madrid, metro systems were halted, with trains stuck in tunnels between stations. Hospitals, including the renowned La Paz, also faced critical challenges during the outage.

Spanish authorities convened an emergency meeting at Moncloa Palace and urged citizens to only call 112 in true emergencies to prevent overwhelming the system.

The blackout extended to Andorra and border regions of France, with some power disruptions reported as far as Belgium. The cause remains under investigation, but initial reports suggest failures in the European power grid and a fire on Alaric Mountain in southern France that damaged a high-voltage line between Perpignan and Narbonne, according to Portugal’s national electric company REN.

Companies like Endesa and Iberdrola are working to identify and resolve the issue. Further updates are expected soon.

Additional Information:
Meteorologists are warning about potential solar storms this week that could worsen instability in the European power grid.

Electricity transmission towers during a power outage near Barcelona, Spain, on Monday.Albert Gea/Reuters

Spain, Portugal, and parts of France face a massive blackout, while scientists warn that solar storms could worsen power grid instability.

Geomagnetic storms are caused by the interaction of large amounts of solar particles with the Earth's magnetic field • NASA/GSFC/SDO

Solar Storms Threaten Global Infrastructure in 2025!

Solar Cycle 25 peaks in 2025, bringing solar storms that may impact power grids, satellites, and communications.

In 2025, Solar Cycle 25 reaches its peak, marking a period of heightened solar activity. Experts from NASA and NOAA warn that solar storms could significantly impact Earth's infrastructure. These storms, resulting from coronal mass ejections (CMEs), may cause power grid fluctuations, satellite malfunctions, and communication disruptions .

In May 2024, a series of intense solar storms, dubbed the "Mother's Day Storm," triggered auroras at unusual latitudes and was classified as the most powerful since 1989 . This event served as a warning for the imminent risks that may intensify in 2025.

Solar storms are classified from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). G5-level events can cause massive blackouts and damage transformers, leading to prolonged power outages . Additionally, GPS navigation systems and radio communications can be severely affected.

The scientific community emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, such as strengthening power grids and continuous monitoring of solar activity. With the peak of Solar Cycle 25 expected between 2024 and 2025, preparation is essential to mitigate the impacts of these storms