Spanish Grid Operator Rules out Cyberattack in Major Blackout, Points to Solar Power Drop

Despite Red Eléctrica ruling out a cybersecurity incident, Spain’s High Court said it will open an investigation to determine if a cyberattack was the cause.

People wait outside a closed train station, during a major power outage in Barcelona, Spain, on April 28, 2025. Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo

Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica de España (REE) ruled out a cybersecurity incident as the cause of Monday’s widespread blackout across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, and pointed to a sudden drop in solar power generation as a possible cause.

The company’s chief of system operations, Eduardo Prieto, said at a news briefing on April 29 that the electricity system suffered a major loss of power generation in southwestern Spain, causing instability that led to its disconnection from the French grid.