Navigating the blackout: Spain’s unexpected crisis
Navigating the blackout: Spain’s unexpected crisis
Comma, our Fincom Alliance partner in Spain, recounts the unprecedented nationwide power outage, highlighting the initial shock, the commendable public response, and the stark contrast with official silence.
The recent power blackout that swept across Spain, Portugal, and parts of southwestern France has dominated headlines over the past 24 hours. While electricity services are steadily being restored, we’ve tapped into our partner network for an insider’s perspective on the unfolding situation. Silvia Albert from Comma offers her candid thoughts on the immediate impact and broader implications of this unprecedented event:
As you know, yesterday Spain—and consequently Portugal—experienced an exceptionally serious situation due to a power outage that plunged the country into total communicative darkness. We could never have imagined such a scenario, but we lived through it firsthand.
To suddenly fall into total darkness when you’re a company that bases its work on information is a drastic experience—it makes your vulnerability and smallness painfully clear. Fortunately, the understanding and empathy from clients and teams made the transition much more bearable.
Today, as things appear to be returning to normal, we’re beginning to notice all the small details that fear and shock hindered us from seeing during the most uncertain hours of the crisis.
It didn’t help, I must admit, that the crisis communication management by the government, responsible organisations, and companies was abysmal. It took our president six hours to make a statement—and even then, he said nothing because (officially) nothing is known yet. You can imagine the breeding ground this created for misinformation, rumours, toxicity, and confusion in an already polarised and tense country.
It must be said, however, that despite the chaos, the public response was once again remarkable. I drove across Madrid several times and, despite there not being a single functioning traffic light, I didn’t hear a single horn or witness any signs of frustration. I know there were more critical points (like train stations and airports), but overall, there was a strong public understanding, with many taking advantage of a beautiful spring day.
What has not been met with understanding, however, is the official silence—a perfect example of what not to do in a crisis like the one we experienced.
Fortunately, as I mentioned, things are returning to normal. We’ve been able to provide our services to all our clients without issues, and we’re closely monitoring the needs of the media to support them in any way necessary. Some events, meetings, and interviews have indeed been cancelled, more out of caution than impossibility.
In short, yet another experience that, combined with the pandemic, the La Palma volcano eruption, the major snowstorm, the Valencia floods, etc., should prompt us to reflect on what is happening in our country.
– Silvia Albert, Comma