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A substantial voltage spike that triggered a large-scale electrical failure across Spanish territory and Portuguese regions has been identified as the "most severe" power disruption in European nations during the past two decades, and represents a unprecedented event of its kind, according to a newly released investigation.

The president of the organization of electrical system controllers declared that this particular situation marked the pioneering recorded electrical disruption to be directly caused by overvoltage, which occurs when too much electrical voltage accumulates within a system.

"This is new territory," Cortinas stated, adding that the organization's role was "not to apportion blame to any entity" regarding the root origin.

The April's blackout generated significant chaos for almost one full day when it cast various regions into darkness, disrupting digital communications and halting travel networks.

Broad Consequences

The power outage impacted large parts of the Spanish territory and Portuguese nation, and briefly affected southwestern France.

The study, released on Friday, centered on the status of the electrical networks on the date of the failure and the progression of incidents preceding it.

Systemic Malfunctions

A sequence of "sequential electrical spikes" - described as an elevation in the network electrical pressure exceeding the regulated threshold - was determined to be the main reason behind the blackout, the investigation found.

Excessive voltage can be generated by increases in grids due to excess production or electrical storms, or when defensive mechanisms are insufficient.

Per the report, automated protection systems were triggered but could not prevent the electrical network from shutting down.

Several Investigations

The investigation follows multiple independent inquiries and analyses by the Spain's administration, as well as energy corporations. The oversight organization and Spanish lawmakers are also carrying out distinct examinations.

The national authorities maintains that the organization's conclusions validates its earlier determinations.

Sara Aagesen for ecological transition declared that it was "completely in line" with the findings of an inquiry it authorized which ended in summer that each of the national grid provider and independent power providers were culpable.

Contrasting Narratives

Each of the key system controller and the independent corporations have insisted that they were not responsible. The controlling entity has assigned responsibility for the outage on specific traditional generation stations' failure to help maintain proper electrical levels.

National energy companies stated it was triggered by inadequate preparation from grid operators.

Investigation Challenges

The study also mentioned that some important data was absent and that "collecting comprehensive, accurate information proved particularly problematic for this examination".

A conclusive study, to be released in the initial three months of the following year, will examine the underlying reasons of the electrical spike and the actions employed to regulate power parameters in the network.

Governmental Debate

The blackout sparked a extensive controversy that extended into the political arena about the country's power strategy.

The opposition suggested that an expanding commitment on green electricity, championed by the ruling coalition of the national leader, could have been a significant component in triggering the outage and the nation's reducing availability of nuclear energy meant a dependable back-up was inaccessible.

The government categorically denied these explanations and the new report was prudent to stay impartial when it involved the sources of the spring's unique outage.

Immediate Impacts

The electrical failure compelled Madrid Open Tennis coordinators to stop a game half way through the event.

Spain's nuclear power plants instantly ceased operations when the blackout struck, and the Spanish oil company announced it suspended activities at its fuel processing plants.

Public Disruption

Edifices were plunged into darkness, while mobile phones and road signals ceased functioning. Crowds extended along street corners and electronic transactions stopped working, compelling people to queue for cash and pack onto public transportation as different mobility options were inoperative.

Rescue personnel were dispatched to 286 buildings to free people trapped inside elevators in the Madrid region and hospitals initiated contingency procedures, suspending routine procedures.