Some local anomaly of still-unclear origin turned the issue regional thanks to the interconnectedness and centralization of the grid in the Peninsula Iberica.

The information released so far is confusing and obscure. As usual, the government isn't being transparent in trying to avoid panic and further impact on the population and markets, which makes sense strategically.

In all likelihood, it was a combination of factors leading to a perfect storm, as is always the case in these events. There were speculations of a cyberattack. However, the blackout has all the marks of net-zero policies starting to impact the European grid somehow.

Though not unprecedented, the blackout is considered the worst in Spain's history. Even though power was restored shortly and nothing significant occurred, some peculiarities, like the complete crash of phone service and internet, underscore the event's severity. 

These events present a warning and a series of lessons. The smart ones will heed both. Power outages can and do happen in real life, anywhere, so it doesn't matter the whys or ifs, only what we do to prepare.

The economy portends major events in other areas.
Back in 2021, I wrote a post about the energy system. In it, I explained the grid's functioning, the changes and movements currently underway in the energy sector, and how these could increase the system's vulnerability. 

I concluded with the following words: "Any change implies a period of uncertainties and, potentially, instabilities and disruptions, so we must be ready." Maybe we should start publishing The OP posts in Spanish, but I digress.

Today, the power grid everywhere is vast, complex, and interconnected, with a multitude of parts and sources, including many of the new "green" varieties. 

It's a vital sector that sustains practically all aspects of modern civilization. Although the systems and their management are advanced and automated, their arrangement and interconnectedness make them vulnerable to cascading issues. 

It's interesting to note that the underlying cause is always related to the state of the economy. As it declines, so does almost everything else (including maintenance and investments), potentially leading to a series of minor and major SHTFs (that same dynamic happens on the personal level, too, and the reason why it's essential to take care of one's finances at all times).