Overview

• The April 28 blackout caused a sudden loss of 15 GW—60% of Spain’s electricity demand—leading to the automatic shutdown of nuclear reactors and disconnection from the European grid.
• A government-led commission, involving multiple agencies and international collaboration, is collecting millisecond-level telemetry data to pinpoint the cause of the collapse.
• Key hypotheses under review include equipment failure, a cyberattack, and issues with renewable energy integration, though no definitive cause has been confirmed.
• President Pedro Sánchez has demanded full cooperation from utility companies and warned of accountability, with some companies criticized for delays in providing critical data.
• The blackout has reignited debates over extending nuclear plant lifespans, grid infrastructure investment, and the balance between renewable energy and baseload power generation.