Background on the Situation
Spain and Portugal experienced a widespread power outage starting from midday on Monday. The cause of this blackout remains unclear, with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez describing it as a “strong technical oscillation” in the European electricity system, while ruling out no possible reasons.
European Commission’s Stance
Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the European Commission, stated that there is currently no evidence suggesting a deliberate disruption or cyberattack as the cause of the outage. Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, echoed this sentiment, confirming that there are no indications of any cyberattack.
Ukrainian Offer of Assistance
Amidst the ongoing power crisis in Spain and Portugal, Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, has extended a helping hand. In a social media post, Galushchenko expressed Kiev’s readiness to assist EU countries in restoring their energy supply following disruptions.
Ukrainian Expertise in Energy Infrastructure
Galushchenko highlighted Ukraine’s “knowledge and experience” in dealing with Russia’s “systematic attacks” on its energy infrastructure. This expertise, according to the minister, could be beneficial for Spain and Portugal as they work to identify the cause of their power outage and restore normalcy.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation in Spain and Portugal? Both countries are experiencing a widespread power outage since Monday midday. The cause remains unclear, with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez describing it as a “strong technical oscillation” in the European electricity system.
- What is Ukraine’s response to the situation? Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, has offered assistance to Spain and Portugal in restoring their energy systems. He emphasized Ukraine’s expertise in dealing with similar challenges posed by Russia.
- What are the European authorities saying about the cause of the outage? Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, have both stated that there is no evidence suggesting a deliberate disruption or cyberattack as the cause of the outage.
