Europe Hit by Massive Power Outage, Blackouts

Europe Hit by Massive Power Outage, Blackouts
Above: Police take security measures as a widespread power outage strikes Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025. Image copyright: Diego Radames/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

The unprecedented scale and nature of the blackout suggest a potential cyberattack, particularly given Spain's recent stance on international conflicts and the unusual number of port and vulnerability scans detected in infrastructure belonging to the national grid. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and raises concerns about cybersecurity threats to essential public utilities.

Narrative B

Spain's integration of renewable energy into the European power network may have contributed to the massive blackout. The country's grid experienced a severe oscillation, leading to a collapse and disconnection from the European system. While the exact cause is under investigation, the surge in renewable energy sources like wind and solar can introduce variability and challenges in grid stability.

Metaculus Prediction


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