Core Viewpoint - The recent large-scale power outage in Spain and Portugal has highlighted significant vulnerabilities in the energy infrastructure, particularly the aging systems and the challenges associated with the transition to renewable energy sources [1][4][5]. Group 1: Incident Overview - On April 28, Spain and Portugal experienced a massive power outage, one of the most severe in recent European history, with Spain losing 60% of its power supply in just five seconds [1][4]. - The outage led to significant disruptions, including traffic congestion, communication failures, and public service interruptions, prompting the Spanish Interior Ministry to declare a national emergency [4]. Group 2: Recovery and Current Status - By April 29, power supply in both countries had largely been restored, although some areas continued to experience minor issues due to unstable circuits [1][4]. - The Spanish government has initiated an investigation into the causes of the outage and has committed to improving the energy system [4][5]. Group 3: Infrastructure Challenges - Approximately 70% of the electricity infrastructure in Spain and Portugal was built before the 1980s, which has been under increasing pressure due to rapid growth in electricity demand and consumption [5]. - Spain has made significant strides in developing renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power, but has not sufficiently invested in the necessary supporting infrastructure and interconnectivity to manage the increased instability and volatility of renewable energy generation [5][8]. Group 4: Analysis and Implications - Experts suggest that the sudden drop in solar power generation may have contributed to the outage, emphasizing the need for countries to ensure the safe use of renewable energy [6][7]. - The incident serves as a warning to other nations about the importance of energy security, which encompasses not only supply but also infrastructure safety and interconnectivity [9][10].