E-Redes, a Spanish power grid surveillance firm, stated that it was attempting to restore connection in phases. Spain and Portugal were struck by a massive power cut on Monday that paralyzed public transportation, caused huge traffic jams and held up airline flights, and electricity utility operators were racing against the clock to restore the grid.
The Portuguese and Spanish governments held emergency cabinet sessions following the breakdown, which also temporarily hit a portion of France, which shares a border with northeastern Spain.
Portugal’s utility REN has confirmed an interruption of electricity across the Iberian Peninsula that also hit part of France, while Spanish grid manager Red Electrica reported it was cooperating with local energy firms to restore power.
“All measures for phased restoration of power supply are being implemented, coordinated with European power producers and operators,” a REN spokesperson announced. REN is in continuous contact with state authorities, the National Civil Protection Authority, for that matter. Meanwhile, potential causes of the accident are being evaluated.”
Spanish radio reported that some of Madrid’s underground was being evacuated. Traffic in Madrid city centre clogged up as traffic lights failed, Cader Ser Radio station reported.
Scores of pedestrians waited outside office buildings in Madrid’s streets and the presence of police was heavy in key buildings, controlling traffic as well as moving along central atriums with lights, a Reuters witness said.
One of Madrid’s four tower buildings that is home to the British Embassy had been evacuated, the witness continued. Local radio reported individuals trapped in stuck metro trains and lifts.
Portuguese police stated traffic lights were disrupted throughout the country, the metro was shut down in Lisbon and Porto, and trains were not operating. Lisbon’s subway transport operator Metropolitano de Lisboa said the subway was at a standstill with people still inside the trains, according to Publico newspaper.
A source at Portugal’s TAP Air said Lisbon airport was running on backup generators, while AENA, which manages 46 airports in Spain, reported flight delays around the country.
