Summary
A report found that a massive power outage in Spain and Portugal in April, caused by excessive voltage, was the most severe in Europe in two decades. The blackout impacted critical infrastructure, cutting off electricity, internet, and transport, and even affected southwestern France briefly. Investigations are ongoing to determine the root causes and collect necessary data.
Key Facts
- The power outage in April affected large parts of Spain and Portugal for nearly a day.
- It was the first known blackout in Europe caused by "overvoltage," which is too much electrical voltage in the system.
- Overvoltage can result from situations like surges or insufficient protective equipment.
- The report by Entso-e describes the event as the most severe in Europe in the last 20 years.
- Automatic systems were activated to prevent the shutdown but were unsuccessful.
- The Spanish government and private electricity companies are part of ongoing investigations.
- A final detailed report on the root causes is expected in the first quarter of next year.
- The incident sparked a debate about Spain's energy model and reliance on renewable energy.
