Space Satellites Reveal Extent of Spain and Portugal Blackout: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Power Crisis

A massive blackout that plunged parts of Spain and Portugal into darkness on April 28, 2025, was captured by Earth-orbiting satellites, revealing the true extent of the power outage. The event, described by experts as one of the worst in Europe in recent memory, affected an estimated 55 million people and left some areas without power for over 12 hours. But what caused this widespread disruption, and what can we learn from it?

NASA's Suomi-NPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21 satellites, along with those from the ESA, played a crucial role in monitoring the blackout and its aftermath. Images taken from space showed areas with prolonged outages and the gradual restoration of power. Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel, a researcher at the Andalusian Institute of Astrophysics (IAA-CSIC), explained how these images were processed to identify affected areas: "By overlaying the six satellite passes and applying NASA’s night-time algorithms, we can identify large green spots suddenly appearing and gradually fading. The green dots indicate the absence of light, while white ones show areas with stable electricity supply."

The European Network of Transmission System Managers for Electricity (ENTSO-E) has launched a committee to investigate the root causes of this "exceptional and serious" blackout. A preliminary report is expected by October 28, 2025, with the final report due no later than September 30, 2026. The incident has reignited debates about the resilience of the energy grid and the integration of renewable energy sources.

One theory suggests that an over-reliance on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, may have contributed to the instability of the power grid. As an electrical engineer noted in an opinion piece, the electric grid requires a perfect balance between supply and demand, a balance that becomes challenging to maintain with a high percentage of power coming from these variable sources. Fluctuations caused by cloud cover, for example, can introduce instability. Could this be the key factor behind the blackout?

This event underscores the importance of robust infrastructure resilience and the need for effective emergency response strategies. As ESA noted, space-based monitoring tools provide valuable insights for assessing infrastructure vulnerabilities and prioritizing repairs during crises. The blackout also served as a stark reminder of our dependence on technology. As one traveler recounted, the lack of power, cell service, and internet resulted in widespread panic as electronic payment systems failed, and access to cash became limited. This highlights the importance of having backup plans and being prepared for unexpected disruptions.

What are your thoughts on the Spain and Portugal blackout? Do you think renewable energy played a role? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!

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Related issues news

What caused the Spanish power outage?

Spain's power grid failed, causing a blackout, due to an unstable frequency, which is a critical component of the electric system. To maintain frequency stability, grid operators are turning to batteries and other energy storage solutions, which can correct frequency deviations instantly and provide synthetic inertia.

What was the cause of the power outage in Spain and Portugal?

Some observers have suggested that low system inertia may have contributed to the outage. Inertia is the grid's ability to keep the frequency stable. Traditional power plants provide inertia through rotating masses but wind and solar do not inherently provide this.