For Spain and Portugal, 28 April 2025 will go down in history as the day of “el gran apagón”, the big blackout. The outage, which affected the two countries simultaneously, was one of the 15 largest power cuts in world history in terms of the number of people affected, with over 58 million people experiencing its consequences.
What made it particularly remarkable was not only its magnitude, but also the response by the authorities and the public. Unlike other major historical blackouts, such as those that hit North America in 2003 and India in 2012, the response of the authorities, grid operators and supply companies made it possible to reduce the impact on critical infrastructures.
Restoration of service progressed throughout the day as hospitals, airports and essential services remained operational thanks to their backup systems, a clear demonstration of the importance of robust emergency protocols.
