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Portugal restores power to 98% after massive blackouts—but fixes are temporary

The lights are back on for most—but at a cost. Temporary fixes and fuel-guzzling generators are holding Portugal's power supply together until permanent repairs arrive.

The image shows an old postcard of an electrical substation in Chicago, Illinois. It features an...
The image shows an old postcard of an electrical substation in Chicago, Illinois. It features an electric pole with transformers, buildings, trees, and a sky with clouds in the background. At the bottom of the postcard, there is text.

Portugal restores power to 98% after massive blackouts—but fixes are temporary

Power has been restored to 98% of customers in Portugal after widespread outages hit the country. The repairs, however, remain temporary, with months of work still needed to fully stabilize the grid. Massive generators are currently keeping some substations running by burning thousands of litres of fuel each day.

The initial blackouts left many without electricity, prompting urgent fixes to get the lights back on. These temporary solutions, though effective in the short term, have led to minor faults and brief interruptions as crews work around the clock. Permanent repairs will take months to complete and are expected to cost millions.

E-Redes, the company managing the grid, had originally planned €470 million in investments for this year. That figure may now rise by an additional €100 million annually, depending on regulatory demands. If authorities require further upgrades, spending could climb even higher.

Support teams from Italy, Spain, Ireland, and France have assisted in the recovery efforts. No additional international crews have been reported as part of the ongoing work.

While most households now have electricity, the long-term challenge lies in securing a stable power supply. The temporary fixes in place may cause occasional disruptions until full repairs are finished. Regulators will decide whether E-Redes must increase its budget to prevent future issues.

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