On July 28, 2025, Portuguese authorities announced a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at bolstering the nation’s electricity infrastructure in response to a major blackout that impacted both Portugal and Spain on April 28. The power outage, which occurred shortly after midday, left millions without electricity for several hours, disrupting essential services and severely affecting daily life. In light of the incident, the government plans to invest €137 million into enhancing the electricity grid. This investment will focus on increasing the number of “black start” power stations—facilities that can restore electricity without depending on external power—and implementing solar panels and batteries in critical infrastructure like hospitals.
Maria Graça Carvalho, the Environment and Energy Minister, emphasized that these measures will prepare Portugal for future emergencies, allowing the government to manage crises more effectively and mitigate their consequences. The April blackout was particularly severe, as Spain experienced a loss of 15 gigawatts of electricity in just five seconds—a staggering 60% of its total supply. Portugal, whose power grid is interconnected with Spain’s, faced a similar situation, with only island territories remaining unaffected. Full power restoration was achieved by the following morning, but the incident raised alarms about the resilience of both nations’ electricity systems.
An investigation undertaken by Spanish officials revealed that the blackout was triggered by the electric grid’s inability to cope with a sudden surge in voltage. This surge instigated minor grid failures in southern Spain that rapidly escalated, ultimately leading to widespread system failure across both countries. While authorities have not disclosed the specific cause of the voltage spike, the investigations indicate that the event followed a sequence of unusual electrical phenomena. As a part of the response to these findings, Portuguese authorities are reviewing potential interconnections with Morocco, which could serve to enhance resilience and diversify energy sources.
The proposed electrical interconnections are high-voltage transmission lines linking different countries’ power systems, facilitating the exchange of electricity across borders. Spain’s existing interconnections with Morocco and France proved crucial for restoring power after the April incident. Alongside the investment in power stations capable of autonomous restart, the Portuguese government plans to bolster backup energy sources. Allocating €25 million towards solar panels and battery installations in hospitals and other critical facilities will not only enhance energy resilience but also ensure that essential services remain operational during outages.
The recent developments come in the wake of a broader investigation led by an independent panel of European Union experts, aiming to determine the precise causes of the blackout. Similar to preliminary findings from Spain, this investigation highlights how an unusual series of voltage surges followed by cascading disconnections likely precipitated the widespread failure. The final report from the EU experts is anticipated to be released in October, and its findings could further inform ongoing efforts to secure both Portugal and Spain’s electricity infrastructures.
Overall, these proactive measures reflect a crucial pivot in energy policy for Portugal and Spain. By investing in enhancements to their electricity systems, the Iberian nations aim to fortify themselves against future outages while ensuring that critical services remain uninterrupted. With a focus on renewable energy sources like solar power, alongside reinforced grid capabilities, this initiative represents a significant step towards a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape for both countries.
