Return to Normalcy

After experiencing extensive blackouts, both Spain and Portugal began to return to normalcy on Tuesday. Traffic lights resumed operation, and Madrid’s subway system was fully functional, except for one line. Restaurant terraces, though less crowded than usual, saw waiters serving meals alongside generous servings of drinks.

Extent of the Blackout

The blackout, which left millions affected, was not just an inconvenience but raised serious concerns about the stability of the electrical grid. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, over 95% of the electricity supply had been restored, while Portugal’s electricity provider confirmed that all substations were fully operational.

Investigating the Cause

Despite the restoration, questions about the blackout’s cause remained unresolved. Eduardo Prieto, director of services for Red Eléctrica, Spain’s national power company, stated that no definitive conclusions had been drawn. He ruled out potential factors such as human error, meteorological phenomena, or cybersecurity attacks.

Prieto explained that the electrical system had experienced two outages within a brief interval of just a second and a half, a significant timeframe in electrical terms.

Government Response and Accountability

In light of the incident, Prime Minister Sánchez emphasized the government’s commitment to thorough investigations. “Citizens must be clear that the Spanish government will get to the bottom of this matter and implement the necessary measures to ensure this never happens again,” he stated during a news conference. A technical analysis involving national and European Commission representatives is underway.

However, industry experts noted that comprehensive analyses could take weeks or months. Initial reports indicated that a high-voltage connection between Spain and France was interrupted shortly before the outage occurred.

Impact on Daily Life

The blackout led to widespread service disruptions. Traffic systems failed, trains ceased operations, and various businesses and schools closed. Many faced difficulties with internet and phone connectivity, heightening the sense of confusion during the outage.

Gradual Recovery

As power was restored throughout the evening, citizens in Madrid celebrated the return of electricity. On Tuesday, while public transportation gradually resumed, many commuters still faced reduced train services. Airports also began to operate again, though full schedules were expected to take two to three days to normalize.

Local residents expressed relief but also bewilderment. An 87-year-old retiree shared his experience of being trapped in his apartment without power: “I lived off canned sardines all day because I couldn’t cook.”

A New Normal?

While daily life in Madrid and other cities began to recover, the atmosphere remained subdued, with many choosing to stay home. Schools reopened, but attendance was low. Parks saw increased activity, with people engaging in exercise rather than the usual bustling crowd often seen in the city. Grocery stores that had temporarily closed were back in business, and restaurants resumed serving patrons.