The Five Seconds That Plunged Spain Into Darkness

Spain’s grid operator offered the most detailed account yet of the confusing set of events that led to a blackout which spilled over to Portugal, describing a series of disruptions over a few seconds that plunged the countries into darkness for hours.

The information still leaves major questions about the root of the faults unanswered, but it shows how stress on the network — which has since been restored — makes it vulnerable and will need investment to become more resilient.