A year ago, the 'great blackout' in Euskadi did not begin with a sudden collapse, but the power outage at the Euskadi Emergency Coordination Center in Bilbao at 12:33 PM signaled the start of an unusual day. Although internal backup systems responded, external consequences quickly emerged, indicating a significant incident beyond a minor fault.
“"Unfortunately, it was an event that caught us all off guard, because it was an unusual emergency."
In response to the scale of the event, the Basque Government activated the LABI, Euskadi's Civil Protection Plan, in its alert phase. Initial moments were marked by uncertainty regarding the blackout's duration and impact. The priority was to organize an institutional response, though failures in ordinary telecommunications complicated the formation of the crisis committee and contact with key officials.
During the initial hours, several critical areas demanded urgent attention. The healthcare sector, despite contingency plans and generator sets with 48-hour autonomy, was a concern. Mobility was severely affected, with disruptions to trains, subways, and trams, necessitating passenger evacuations. A notable consequence was the surge in elevator rescues, with firefighters conducting 253 operations to free trapped individuals.
Despite communication challenges, the internal communication network of the Basque emergency system, the TETRA network, played a crucial role in maintaining coordination. While commercial networks failed, this network, managed by Itelazpi, kept the Ertzaintza, local police, Osakidetza, firefighters, and other services connected, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the situation. The 112 emergency service saw a threefold increase in call volume between 12:33 PM and 5:00 PM, driven by both incidents and the public's need for information.
Despite the severity, citizen response was exemplary, with no major public safety incidents. In Álava, the public holiday status helped alleviate pressure in some sectors. Power restoration was progressive and relatively swift, reaching 78% in Araba and 88% in Gipuzkoa by 5:00 PM, and nearly 96% by 11:00 PM. This rapid recovery, aided by interconnection with the French electrical system, was crucial in preventing a more severe scenario. The experience highlighted key lessons about energy dependence and social vulnerability, prompting efforts to improve communication systems, such as satellite connectivity.
