Fact Check: "60% of energy vanished in just five seconds during blackout"
What We Know
On April 28, 2025, Spain experienced a massive blackout that resulted from the sudden disappearance of 15 gigawatts (GW) of electricity from its grid. This loss occurred within a mere five seconds and was reported to be equivalent to 60% of the total energy consumption in the country at that time. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed this information during a press conference, stating that the event was unprecedented and that investigations into the cause were ongoing (Politico, Catalan News). The blackout not only affected Spain but also had implications for Portugal, as the two countries share an integrated electricity grid (Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that "60% of energy vanished in just five seconds during blackout" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Reports from the Spanish government and various news outlets consistently indicate that the abrupt loss of 15 GW of power led to a significant destabilization of the electrical grid (Reuters, Softonic). The information provided by the Spanish government and the transmission system operator, Red Eléctrica, is corroborated by independent news reports, which highlight the same figures and context surrounding the blackout (Politico, CNN).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they include official statements from government officials and reports from established news organizations. The event's unprecedented nature has been emphasized by experts and government representatives alike, adding credibility to the claim. Additionally, the ongoing investigations into the cause of the blackout, which do not rule out any possibilities, further underline the seriousness of the situation (Catalan News, El País).
However, it is worth noting that while the blackout has been linked to a "very strong oscillation in the electrical network," the exact cause remains under investigation, and no definitive conclusions have been drawn yet (Politico, Reuters). This uncertainty does not detract from the factual accuracy of the claim regarding the percentage of energy lost.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "60% of energy vanished in just five seconds during blackout" is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm that a sudden loss of 15 GW of electricity occurred within five seconds, representing 60% of the total consumption at that time. The consistency of reports from government officials and reputable news organizations supports the validity of this claim.
Sources
- Freak disappearance of electricity triggered power cut, says Spain PM
- Power begins to return after huge outage hits Spain and Portugal
- Spain suffered a historic blackout as 15 gigawatts disappeared in 5 seconds
- Spanish government considers 'strange' that 60% of power disappeared
- The five seconds that plunged Spain into darkness
- A day without power: Spain and Portugal's 12 hours of darkness
- Spanish minister rules out cyber-attack as cause of April blackout
