A widespread power outage struck Spain and parts of Portugal on Monday, disrupting train services, halting air traffic, and affecting telecommunications across the Iberian Peninsula. Airports operated on backup power, causing major delays, while train operations were suspended, and events like the Madrid Open tennis tournament were brought to a standstill. TAP Air Portugal advised passengers not to travel to airports until further notice.
Power gradually being restored
Spanish power operator Red Eléctrica confirmed that electricity had been restored to several regions. According to BBC, parts of Catalonia, Aragon, the Basque Country, Galicia, Asturias, Navarre, Castile and León, Extremadura, Andalusia, and La Rioja have seen supply return.
“Power has already been restored at substations in several areas,” Red Eléctrica said, adding that electricity would continue to be restored progressively in other regions as systems stabilised.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also confirmed that electricity was returning to parts of northern and southern Spain, but urged citizens to act “responsibly” during this critical period.
Citizens urged to limit phone use
In his address, Sánchez asked the public to use phones only for neces