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Spain Attributes April Iberian Blackout to Technical Failures, Not Cyberattack

Government report pins blame on grid miscalculations, insufficient voltage controls; it commits to strengthening network resilience

FILE - A bus drives in downtown Madrid during a major power outage, Monday, April 28, 2025.
Power lines connecting pylons of high-tension electricity are seen during sunset at an electricity substation on the outskirts of Ronda, during a blackout in the city, Spain April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jon Nazca/File Photo
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High-voltage transmission towers carrying electricity from Spain to Portugal are pictured near the border, in Lindoso, Portugal, on April 28, 2025

Overview

  • Official report confirms technical and planning errors triggered the April 28 blackout and rules out a cyberattack
  • Investigation finds a voltage surge led to a chain reaction of disconnections due to inadequate dynamic voltage control capacity
  • Red Eléctrica (REE) is faulted for miscalculating the required energy mix and some power plants failed to absorb reactive power as mandated
  • The outage wiped out 15 gigawatts in five seconds, disrupting flights, trains and critical services for tens of millions across Spain, Portugal and parts of France
  • Authorities will boost voltage control measures, tighten operator oversight and pursue deeper integration with the European grid