On April 28, all electricity suddenly went out across Spain and Portugal. A massive blackout paused people’s daily lives for about 8 to 10 hours, caused by a sudden spike in solar power that overwhelmed the Iberian electricity grid.
Experts said the outage stemmed from multiple technical issues, including an imbalance between energy supply and demand, the sudden disconnection of solar facilities, and the shutdown of nuclear plants that usually help keep the system stable. Without steady backup power, the grid failed.
Most electricity was restored within 10 hours, but the incident exposed gaps in the management of renewable energy. Analysts say better planning is needed to handle sharp fluctuations in supply as solar and wind use grows.
While the blackout caused major disruptions, some found creative ways to cope and enjoy the unexpected pause in modern life. In some neighborhoods, people brought out guitars and shared food in candlelit gatherings. Families took walks, children played outdoors, and people gathered on balconies, enjoying the rare stillness. In Seville, musicians performed acoustic sets in a plaza. In Lisbon, cafés served free coffee to those waiting for the power to return.
Most areas had power again by late evening, though some experienced intermittent outages.
For a moment, the modern world stood still. But in that stillness, many rediscovered old joys such as conversations without screens, meals without distractions, and the beauty of night skies unspoiled by city lights.
The blackout served as both a warning about the fragility of modern infrastructure and a reminder of the resilience of everyday people. Even amid uncertainty, communities found light in the dark, making the day not only unforgettable but, in some ways, unexpectedly beautiful.