Portugal Blackout 2025: From Normal to Chaos – An International Student's Day in Porto

On April 28, 2025, I experienced something I never expected as an international student living in Porto, Portugal—a sudden, sweeping power outage that brought the entire country (and parts of Spain and France) to a halt. What started as a normal day quickly turned into confusion, disruption, and a surprising sense of community.

It All Began in Class

The first power cut hit while I was in class. The lights flickered, and everything went dark—but only for a few minutes. I assumed it was just a brief technical glitch. No one seemed overly concerned, and life resumed quickly.

Little did I know, this was just the beginning of one of the largest blackouts in European history.

A Glitchy Ride to the Health Center

Later that day, I booked a Bolt ride to a public health center for a medical appointment. But mid-ride, both my phone and the driver’s app froze completely. We sat in silence for ten minutes, helpless, until the app restarted.

When I arrived, the health center was open—but powerless. They had no electricity and informed me that my appointment was being cancelled. They said they would call to reschedule once power returned.

The Realization: This Wasn't Just a Glitch

I returned home to find my building without electricity. My laptop was dead, my phone was dying, and soon after, even the mobile network signals disappeared. That’s when I realized—this wasn’t just a local issue; it was a nationwide blackout.

Chaos in the Streets: Queues, Candles, and Community

As the outage dragged on, panic began to set in. Nearby stores started to shut down. The ones that remained open had massive queues, with people rushing to buy essentials like bottled water and toilet paper.

I found candles at a local Chinese store, which quickly became the neighborhood’s hotspot.

Interestingly, people also began gathering in public parks to relax and wait things out, creating an unexpected social atmosphere amid the confusion.

Cancellations and Commutes

As the blackout deepened, the city began to slow down in stages. Classes were cancelled across schools and universities, and many offices released employees early. The metro stopped working entirely, leaving countless commuters stranded at underground stations. Buses, suddenly the only viable transport, became overcrowded as people rushed to get home. ATM machines had long queues, with many scrambling to withdraw cash before signals or power went out completely.

In central Porto, I noticed an eerie contrast—some hotels and major shops in Aliados still had electricity. Walking through a city that was half-lit and half-frozen in darkness felt surreal, as if daily life had paused in unpredictable patches.

Light at the End—and a Bit of Celebration

As evening approached, I walked down to Ribeira, where a mix of locals and tourists had gathered, trying to enjoy the calm by the river despite the uncertainty.

Suddenly, a wave of excitement spread through the crowd—the lights on the Gaia side began to flicker back on. For a brief moment, the iconic Ponte Luís I Bridge lit up, and people cheered and clapped, filled with hope. But just as quickly, the lights on the bridge went out again, plunging us back into darkness.

A few minutes later, Gaia’s hillside remained lit, and soon after, the shops and cafés in Ribeira began to glow as power returned. A few small fireworks popped in celebration. The cheers returned. Strangers smiled at one another. It was a shared moment of relief—and joy.

I returned home, charged my phone, and called my worried family to let them know I was safe. It was a moment of relief after a strange and chaotic day.

What Really Happened?

According to Portugal’s national grid operator REN, the blackout was caused by a sudden voltage fluctuation, possibly triggered by a transmission issue in Spain. More than 89 power substations across Portugal went down, and telecommunications, transport, and internet services were severely affected.

This was not a cyberattack or a local fire—just a rare, large-scale infrastructure failure that affected millions across Portugal, Spain, and parts of France.

Final Thoughts: A Day to Remember

This experience reminded me how much we rely on digital tools, electricity, and infrastructure—especially as an international student far from home. But it also showed me the resilience of communities, the importance of staying calm, and the surprising beauty of shared challenges.

Even in darkness, there was light—both literal and metaphorical.