Background on the Event
On Monday afternoon, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez addressed the nation regarding a widespread power outage affecting most of the Iberian Peninsula and some southern French regions since midday. Sánchez, speaking from the Moncloa Palace after an urgent National Security Council meeting, stated that there is still no definitive information on the cause of the electrical failure.
Sánchez explained that a “strong fluctuation” occurred in the European power system, triggering a generalized disruption of electricity supply across the Iberian Peninsula and some areas in southern France.
Power Restoration Progress
After more than six hours of the blackout, Sánchez reported that power has been partially restored in several northern and southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. He added that all hydroelectric power plants across Spain have been reactivated, which should enable a full restoration of electricity supply throughout the country “soon.”
President Sánchez’s Appeal to the Public
In light of the chaos unfolding on the streets with people lacking communication tools like phones, metro, and trains, Sánchez urged citizens to collaborate with authorities and act responsibly and civilly, as they have done during previous crises.
- Minimize unnecessary travel: Sánchez advised the public to avoid non-essential trips.
- Verify information: He emphasized relying only on official channels for updates and avoiding the spread of unverified information.
- Responsible mobile phone use: Sánchez encouraged the public to make brief calls when necessary, ensuring responsible mobile phone usage during this time.
- Reassurance on safety and healthcare: The president clarified that there are no security concerns and that Spain’s hospital system is functioning correctly.
