At 9:10 p.m. on TVI/CNN, the Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, announced that electricity had been restored in several areas of the city, including Massarelos, Lordelo do Ouro, Damião de Góis (in the center), Aliados, and Fernão Magalhães.
The restoration of electricity is being monitored at the Integrated Management Center (CGI) through the mapping of the traffic light system.
“The expectation is that the situation will normalize in the coming hours,” he added, noting that certain areas like Aldoar and Foz remained without power.
According to the mayor, traffic lights have started functioning again, and garbage collection and cleaning will be conducted tonight.
At the São João Hospital and the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO), which were assisted by Civil Protection services during the day, electricity “was already functioning normally.”
Rui Moreira further reported that during the day, the Porto Fire Brigade recorded about 50 incidents, many involving people trapped in elevators.
“Ensuring water supply” was another challenge, he stated, mentioning that Águas do Douro e Paiva faced an issue with booster pumps, although the municipality had sufficient reserves in storage tanks.
“We observed hoarding behavior and a part of the city, especially affecting São João Hospital and the IPO, started experiencing low pressure, necessitating the suspension of water supply in Aldoar to secure pressure for health services,” he clarified, noting that the issue “is resolved.”
Rui Moreira expressed optimism that water supply from Gondomar to the city would soon normalize to replenish storage tanks.
To ensure transportation for tourists and residents arriving at Porto Airport, several buses from the Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto (STCP) are providing free rides.
The operation will continue overnight, with additional buses on routes 601, 602, and 604, according to a statement from STCP, which assured uninterrupted operations during the blackout.
Regarding schools and public services, Rui Moreira assured that unless there is another blackout, they should operate normally on Tuesday morning.
“With necessary precautions, I would say parents can expect schools to be open tomorrow [Tuesday],” he added.
Rui Moreira noted that managing this situation was “much worse” than during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to its “unpredictability.”
On Facebook, the Mayor of Gaia, Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, stated that diesel reserves are at maximum capacity in all generator-equipped facilities in case of another blackout.
Additionally, he mentioned that water and sanitation systems are fully operational and that garbage collection services will continue overnight.
School cafeterias are also ready to function on Tuesday, enabling schools to open, he added.
A widespread power outage affected both Portugal and Spain from 11:30 a.m., with authorities yet to provide an explanation.
The blackout caused airport closures and transportation and traffic disruptions in major cities.
Energy restoration progressed gradually throughout the day, beginning in the country’s central region.
By approximately 10:30 p.m., E Redes reported electricity had been restored in four million households.
