The Red Electrica network operator reported that the origin of the widespread energy failure in Spain is inactive unknown, but this is the most serious event of its kind in the past of the country. Eduardo Prieto, an operator's typical quoted by Reuter, noted that the restoration of power depends on many variable factors.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior declared a state of emergency in consequence to an extended power failure which covered almost the full territory of the country. The Communication states that this will apply in those regions that ask for state support to keep public security. To date, 7 autonomous communities have requested specified assistance: Andalusia, Estremadura, Murcia, La Rioja, Madrid, Galicia and Castile-La Mancha.
The Portuguese National Cybersecurity Center has reported that there is no evidence at this minute suggesting that the crash was the consequence of a cyber attack. On the another hand, the European Commission has stated that it is in contact with the Spanish and Portuguese authorities and with European energy transmission operators to find the causes of the blackouts and measure its effects.
Preparedness of Ukraine
The Ukrainian Energy Minister, Herman Haluszchenko, declared his willingness to assist Spain and Portugal in the ongoing energy crisis.
We are ready to share our cognition and experience, including those gained during systematic [Russian] attacks on energy infrastructure [Ukraine] – declared on platform X.
Reason unknown
Red Electrica reported in the morning that the electricity supply was restored at 87.37 percent. On Monday, the operator reported that the energy failure in Spain was due to the disconnection of the European interconnection strategy by France. However, it has not been established precisely what caused the disconnection.
On the another hand, the Portuguese transmission operator REN reported that the blackout in Portugal was the consequence of a problem that appeared in the Spanish energy network. As explained, abrupt temperature changes in central Spain caused voltage fluctuations on the advanced voltage lines. This, in turn, led to problems of synchronisation between the Spanish and Portuguese networks, which besides caused difficulties on interconnectors with another European countries.
Portugal's Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, told late in the evening that the country had almost completely dealt with the failure of the energy system. He added that the supply of electricity was restored to the vast majority of the continental territory of Portugal.
