Massive power outage in Spain and Portugal leaves thousands stranded and millions without light

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By RENATA BRITO, BARRY HATTON and Joseph Wilson
Updated 10:33 PM CDT, April 28, 2025

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — An unprecedented blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill Monday, stranding thousands of train passengers and leaving millions of people without phone and internet coverage and access to cash from ATMs across the Iberian Peninsula.

The sudden crash of the power grid also left authorities searching for its cause. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the nation and said that almost 11 hours after the nation ground to a halt, government experts were still trying to determine what happened.

“We have never had a complete collapse of the system,” Sánchez said, before detailing that at 12:33 p.m. on Monday Spain’s power grid lost 15 gigawatts, the equivalent of 60% of its national demand, in a matter of five seconds.

Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica’s head of operations Eduardo Prieto said the event was “exceptional and extraordinary.”



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/spain-portugal-power-outage-electricity-b0c5fbca49b8422248c4f933e20303b3

[mpcamb]

1. I always wonder if a wide spread outage is a practice run, a test of malware.

I'm pretty suspicious generally; maybe it's human error, but high level malfeasance could figure in.

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. The utilities are reporting

that it was a rare phenomenon caused by large temperature variations in the different parts of the countries. These variations altered the behavior of transmission equipment causing frequency variations which triggered shutdowns in the equipment (running generators at the wrong frequency will damage them severely).

Outside of the usual conspiracy forums I see no evidence of malicious intent. It did highlight how vulnerable grids are to temperature extremes (like those caused by global warming) and how modern civilization has ZERO backup plans for the loss of electricity, which is absolutely CRITICAL to every day life. Loss of power for more than a day starts unraveling our society at all levels.

This is why rooftop solar and battery backup should be REQUIRED on all new construction.

[FredGarvin]

3. Ambient temp variations?

Generator frequencies aren't in the least affected by ambient temp differentials across the grid.

Absurd speculation

[Miguelito Loveless]

5. The problem comes from

the temps of transmission lines and sub-stations. Temp can change resistance and operating parameters, resulting in frequency fluctuations. If frequency varies too much, the system will cut out, which then can trip generators to shut down so as not to damage the grid.

It is hardly "absurd speculation".

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195925523002470

[mpcamb]

4. Miguelito, looked it up on several sites. 'Ambient temperature differentials' sounds reasonable.

"Ambient temperature differentials in a power grid refer to the varying temperatures across different locations within the electrical grid, which can impact the performance of power grid equipment and operations. These differences in temperature can result from various factors, including seasonal changes, geographical location, and local environmental condition."
"Impact on Grid Operations:
Equipment Performance:
Power grid equipment, such as transformers, cables, and generators, has specific operating temperature ranges. Excessive temperature differentials can affect their efficiency, reliability, and lifespan."

Thanks

[Skittles]

6. have it last for a few days and it will be like Texas!