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A major voltage spike that resulted in a extensive blackout across Spain and Portugal has been identified as the "most serious" power disruption in European nations during the past two decades, and represents a unprecedented occurrence of its kind, according to a newly released study.

Damian Cortinas of the organization of electrical system controllers stated that this notable event marked the initial documented electrical disruption to be directly caused by voltage surge, which occurs when excessive power voltage accumulates within a network.

"This is new territory," the official stated, noting that the group's function was "not to determine fault to any entity" regarding the primary source.

The spring's power failure generated substantial interruption for nearly a day when it cast multiple areas into powerless state, terminating digital communications and stopping transport links.

Widespread Effects

The power outage impacted significant areas of the Spanish territory and Portugal, and momentarily influenced southwestern France.

The study, released on Friday, concentrated on the status of the power systems on the date of the blackout and the progression of developments preceding it.

Technical Failures

A series of "cascading overvoltages" - characterized as an elevation in the power system voltage surpassing the regulated threshold - was identified as the main reason behind the failure, the analysis found.

Voltage surge can be caused by spikes in grids due to excess production or weather events, or when protective equipment are deficient.

Per the investigation, computerized safety protocols were triggered but failed to halt the energy grid from shutting down.

Multiple Examinations

The report comes after several separate examinations and studies by the Madrid authorities, as well as power and grid companies. The regulatory body and Spanish lawmakers are also conducting independent inquiries.

The national authorities considers that the organization's findings supports its own findings.

Sara Aagesen for environmental policy stated that it was "completely in line" with the outcomes of an examination it ordered which wrapped up in June that each of the main system manager and commercial energy firms were responsible.

Diverging Accounts

Both the key system controller and the private firms have insisted that they were not responsible. The controlling entity has attributed the outage on specific traditional generation stations' shortcoming to help preserve proper electrical levels.

Spanish utilities said it was caused by deficient strategy from grid operators.

Examination Challenges

The report also highlighted that certain crucial information was absent and that "collecting thorough, reliable details proved very challenging for this examination".

A definitive analysis, to be published in the beginning period of the following year, will analyze the fundamental sources of the electrical spike and the actions used to manage power parameters in the grid.

Administrative Controversy

The blackout initiated a wider discussion that entered the governmental sphere about the nation's electrical approach.

The opposition proposed that an expanding commitment on green electricity, championed by the ruling coalition of Pedro Sánchez, could have been a significant component in causing the blackout and the nation's reducing availability of nuclear electricity meant a reliable alternative was inaccessible.

The authorities categorically denied these explanations and the recent study was prudent to remain neutral when it involved the causes of April's unprecedented blackout.

Direct Consequences

The power disruption forced sports event organizers to halt a competition half way through the event.

The country's nuclear stations instantly ceased operations when the failure struck, and the national petroleum corporation announced it stopped production at its fuel processing plants.

Public Chaos

Edifices were cast into blackout, while cellular devices and intersection indicators ceased functioning. Lines extended along urban intersections and card payments malfunctioned, obliging people to queue for cash and cram on to buses as other transport systems were not running.

Emergency workers were summoned to multiple edifices to free people stuck in lifts in the capital area and medical facilities initiated emergency plans, halting routine procedures.