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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jillian Ambrose

‘Blackouts can happen anywhere’: how power systems worldwide can collapse

darkened street in Barcelona; only a few small glimmers of light are visible
Lights out in Barcelona: a widespread power outage struck Spain and Portugal early this week. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Europe’s biggest blackout in over 20 years on the Iberian peninsula unleashed hours of chaos for people in Spain, Portugal and parts of France earlier this week. But in the aftermath it has raised a common question for governments across the continent: could the same happen here?

Europe’s political leaders and energy system operators have given assurances that such blackouts are extraordinarily rare, and that European power grids are some of the most stable in the world.

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