Spain’s aging power grid may not be able to handle the country’s growing energy output, energy expert Carlos Cagigal warned on Spanish television, adding that the April 28 widespread blackout is likely a sign of more to come.
“People need to prepare, because it’s going to happen again in the coming months,” he said. While the exact cause remains under investigation, Cagigal pointed to unstable voltage and sudden power surges as likely triggers behind the collapse. Without large-scale energy storage, which he estimates could take two years to implement, Spain may remain vulnerable to future outages.
Several European nations struggled on April 28 to cope with massive power outages that plunged parts of the continent into darkness. Chaos erupted in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, as authorities scrambled to restore power amidst a severe blackout. Homes, offices, streetlights, public transportation, and more suddenly lost power, while authorities attempted to understand what had happened and, more importantly, how to fix it. Rumors of a potential security breach, namely a cyberattack, caused panic among citizens who rushed to fuel their cars and stock up on essentials, reminiscent of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Click through this gallery for a closer look at the day part of Europe was literally left in the dark.