The Spanish government has confirmed that a significant power cut affecting vast regions of Spain and Portugal was due to a miscalculation. The incident, which occurred in late April, caused widespread chaos as millions faced disruptions to essential services, including airports, trains, and internet access. Traffic lights were also out, leading to considerable traffic jams. Authorities worked swiftly to identify the problem’s source, amidst speculations of a potential cyberattack.

Energy Minister Sara Aagesen announced that the cause of the blackout was linked to the Spanish power grid operator, Red Eléctrica de España (REE). Aagesen reported that not enough thermal power stations were operational at peak times, specifically on April twenty-eight, leading to a chain reaction that resulted in the blackout. The minister emphasised that the grid lacked sufficient dynamic voltage control capacity during this critical period.

A government report anticipated to be published outlined that several power plants, which are legally required to assist in regulating the grid’s voltage, failed to do so adequately. The stability of electricity grids in Europe relies on maintaining a frequency of fifty Hertz, and any slight deviation can cause substantial damage. Aagesen pointed out that many power plants were expected to absorb reactive power but did not fulfil this requirement in a high voltage scenario.

Importantly, the investigation concluded with no signs of a cyberattack contributing to the power disruption. The focus remains on ensuring that systems are in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future.