Spain initiates investigation into significant power grid failure
The National High Court is set to explore whether a cyberattack contributed to this week's extensive power outage. Spain has initiated an investigation into the massive blackout that affected almost the entire Iberian Peninsula this week, seeking...
TroibNews 
The National High Court is set to explore whether a cyberattack contributed to this week's extensive power outage.
Spain has initiated an investigation into the massive blackout that affected almost the entire Iberian Peninsula this week, seeking to determine if it may have been triggered by a cyberattack.
On Monday, after a midday outage hit Spain and neighboring Portugal, leading to brief disruptions in parts of France, the Spanish government declared a state of emergency. The blackout left millions without power, resulting in significant disruptions on roadways and at airports. While electricity has largely been restored, transport services continue to feel the repercussions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Spain’s High Court disclosed that Judge Jose Luis Calama has mandated preliminary proceedings to evaluate whether the blackout resulted from cyber sabotage.
Reports indicate that the National Cryptologic Center, grid operator Red Electrica, and the police have been directed to submit findings within ten days, detailing the causes of the outage and related events.
Calama mentioned that while the cause remains uncertain, “cyberterrorism is among the possible explanations.”
The grid operator Red Electrica (REE) announced on Tuesday that an initial assessment had ruled out a cyberattack. System Operations Chief Eduardo Prieto suggested in a news briefing that the disruption could be linked to solar generation, but emphasized that it was too early for decisive conclusions.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s grid operator, Redes Energeticas Nacionais, previously indicated that a “rare atmospheric phenomenon” over Spain, resulting from “extreme temperature variations,” might have led to the blackout.
Spanish officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause. On Monday evening, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that no conclusive information was available.
Power has now been restored in nearly all areas of Spain and Portugal; however, both countries remain under states of emergency. On Tuesday morning, REE reported that electricity was restored to 99% of Spain. The transport minister cautioned that some trains, including high-speed rail services, would continue operating on reduced schedules.
Experts predict it may take several weeks to pinpoint the precise cause of the outage. Some have cited Spain’s growing dependency on renewable energy, especially solar power, as a possible contributing factor.
Sanchez dismissed these claims, stating, “Those linking the blackout to the lack of nuclear power are either lying or demonstrating their ignorance,” during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
Spain has initiated an investigation into the massive blackout that affected almost the entire Iberian Peninsula this week, seeking to determine if it may have been triggered by a cyberattack.
On Monday, after a midday outage hit Spain and neighboring Portugal, leading to brief disruptions in parts of France, the Spanish government declared a state of emergency. The blackout left millions without power, resulting in significant disruptions on roadways and at airports. While electricity has largely been restored, transport services continue to feel the repercussions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Spain’s High Court disclosed that Judge Jose Luis Calama has mandated preliminary proceedings to evaluate whether the blackout resulted from cyber sabotage.
Reports indicate that the National Cryptologic Center, grid operator Red Electrica, and the police have been directed to submit findings within ten days, detailing the causes of the outage and related events.
Calama mentioned that while the cause remains uncertain, “cyberterrorism is among the possible explanations.”
The grid operator Red Electrica (REE) announced on Tuesday that an initial assessment had ruled out a cyberattack. System Operations Chief Eduardo Prieto suggested in a news briefing that the disruption could be linked to solar generation, but emphasized that it was too early for decisive conclusions.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s grid operator, Redes Energeticas Nacionais, previously indicated that a “rare atmospheric phenomenon” over Spain, resulting from “extreme temperature variations,” might have led to the blackout.
Spanish officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause. On Monday evening, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that no conclusive information was available.
Power has now been restored in nearly all areas of Spain and Portugal; however, both countries remain under states of emergency. On Tuesday morning, REE reported that electricity was restored to 99% of Spain. The transport minister cautioned that some trains, including high-speed rail services, would continue operating on reduced schedules.
Experts predict it may take several weeks to pinpoint the precise cause of the outage. Some have cited Spain’s growing dependency on renewable energy, especially solar power, as a possible contributing factor.
Sanchez dismissed these claims, stating, “Those linking the blackout to the lack of nuclear power are either lying or demonstrating their ignorance,” during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
Discover more Science and Technology news updates in TROIB Sci-Tech
