Portuguese government to probe causes of widespread power blackout

The Portuguese government has announced plans to launch an investigation into the causes of the massive power outage that struck the country on April 28, leaving millions without electricity and disrupting daily life.

The move follows similar actions taken by Spain, which is also investigating the incident, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro confirmed the government’s intention to fully examine the origins of the blackout, which affected the national electricity grid. As part of the investigation, Portuguese authorities will seek assistance from the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).

Montenegro stated in a statement that the government was committed to conducting a full investigation into the causes of the power outage, emphasising the importance of understanding the factors that led to the widespread disruption.

On April 28, 2025, a massive and unprecedented power outage hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of southwestern France, plunging millions into darkness and causing widespread disruptions across the Iberian Peninsula.

The blackout began around 12:33 p.m. (GMT+2), affecting major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Critical services were disrupted, including public transport systems such as metros and high-speed trains, leaving passengers stranded. Traffic lights went out, resulting in severe congestion that was managed manually by police and locals. Hospitals relied on backup generators, and businesses, including major retailers like Zara, either closed or operated without power. ATMs and electronic payment systems were down, forcing some stores to extend credit to regular customers or shut down completely.

The outage also caused significant disruptions to major events, such as the suspension of the Madrid Open tennis tournament. Airports faced delays, and oil refineries, including those operated by Moeve and Petronor, ceased operations.

By Naila Huseynova