On April 28, a massive power outage struck Spain and Portugal, disrupting transportation, communication, and essential services. In response, Morocco provided emergency electricity supplies to Spain through their interconnection lines, assisting in the gradual restoration of power across the affected regions, according to Morocco World News.
Spanish Prime Minister Acknowledges Morocco’s Assistance
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly acknowledged the support received from neighboring countries, including Morocco, during the crisis. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing such unprecedented challenges.
Extent of the Blackout and Restoration Efforts
AP News reported that the blackout began around 12:30 p.m. local time, causing Spain to lose approximately 15 gigawatts of power, which is about 60% of its national demand, in just five seconds.
The outage affected major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, halting trains, disrupting airports, and knocking out mobile and internet connectivity.
Power restoration efforts commenced promptly, with support from cross-border links with France and Morocco. By early April 29, nearly 100% of the energy supply was restored in both Spain and Portugal.
A Long-Standing Collaboration Between Morocco and Spain
Morocco’s prompt assistance during the Iberian blackout shows the significance of regional cooperation in ensuring energy security. Beyond energy, trade between Morocco and Spain has been flourishing, with Spain emerging as Morocco’s largest foreign investor.
The nations have also collaborated on managing migration flows, particularly across the Western Mediterranean route.
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