Government investigates blackout causes, including cyberattack theory

Wednesday 30 April 2025 - 12:35

By: Zahouani Ilham

Government investigates blackout causes, including cyberattack theory

The government continues to keep all potential causes of the electrical blackout on Monday open, including the possibility of a cyberattack, even though Red Eléctrica, a company in which the state holds a 20% stake, quickly ruled it out. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the "recklessness" of discarding any potential cause, including the one suggested by Red Eléctrica, led by former Socialist Minister Beatriz Corredor. The government not only minimizes the weight of the company's explanations but also vowed to investigate the incident through various channels. This way, Sánchez avoids being bound to Red Eléctrica while pursuing accountability after the blackout that left the Iberian Peninsula in darkness and without communication for hours.

Two days after the so-called “energy zero,” the government still hasn't clarified the origin of the event. It believes a much deeper analysis is needed before reaching any conclusions. However, Red Eléctrica ruled out a cyberattack on Tuesday morning, at least from the control point of its operations. While the government refrains from directly contradicting the company, there is some implied frustration, both with the dismissal of the cyberattack theory and with the release of information to the media before the analysis was conclusive.

Sánchez stated that he learned through the media about Red Eléctrica's dismissal of the cyberattack but stressed that the government's investigation would extend beyond the electricity transmission networks to include private companies as well. On Tuesday, the president met urgently with these companies, urging them to "collaborate with the government" and the "independent" bodies tasked with investigating the causes. "We must make the necessary improvements to ensure the future competitiveness and supply security of our system," he emphasized.

Sources from Moncloa indicate that, before the meeting, companies were already thoroughly questioned, but they insist they have no idea what caused the blackout. As a result, the government will establish a commission to "verify everything and avoid making false statements." "The electricity issue is complex, with many operators involved," a government member who participated in National Security Council meetings remarked, noting the numerous interconnections between Red Eléctrica and the other operators that need to be investigated to determine the cause.

In this regard, Sánchez announced the creation of a commission led by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the request for an "independent report" from Brussels through the European Electricity Coordination Group and independent regulators. The investigation will also look into the cyberattack theory, with Sánchez confirming that INCIBE and the National Cryptological Center are examining Red Eléctrica's and private operators' computer records.

Thus, the government not only refuses to back Red Eléctrica’s explanations but also intends to investigate its computer records independently. This occurs at a critical moment for determining the cause, especially as several deaths linked to the blackout have emerged.

Sumar Points to the Private Sector

Meanwhile, Sumar agrees with Sánchez and points out that private actors energy companies and Red Eléctrica, despite the state’s 20% stake in the operator must be held accountable. Sources from Yolanda Díaz's party argue that in an electricity system where private companies supply power (though managed by a semi-public entity), they cannot be exempt from responsibility. However, Sumar remains cautious and refrains from blaming any part of the electricity production and distribution chain until the cause of the blackout is fully understood.

Díaz's coalition has maintained a low profile regarding the incident, as the Moncloa decided to centralize communication through President Sánchez. On the day of the blackout, Vice President Yolanda Díaz was in Murcia and couldn’t attend the first emergency meeting at Red Eléctrica, although Minister of Health Mónica García was present. Díaz did attend the National Security Council meeting on Tuesday morning, while her chief of staff, Virginia Uzal, represented her during the Monday afternoon meetings.