The autonomy of the generators and the quick response of the technical teams prevented interruptions in critical services and cloud platforms.
On April 28, an unexpected power outage affected large areas of the Iberian Peninsula for several hours, testing the response capacity of critical infrastructures, including data centers and telecommunications services. Rather than becoming a technological crisis, the incident highlighted the extraordinary resilience of the cloud infrastructure and data center ecosystem deployed in Spain and Portugal.
From the very beginning, the energy backup systems—especially the generators—demonstrated their effectiveness. Equipped with over 24 hours of autonomy at maximum load and hot refueling systems, these units kept facilities operational without service interruptions.
An Exemplary Technical Response
During the power outage, the technical teams from telecommunications operators, cloud providers, and data centers worked in a coordinated and continuous manner to ensure the stability of essential services. At no time did the dreaded “zero” in system availability occur, which prevented greater repercussions in sectors such as banking, healthcare, transportation, or public administration.
“This outage has been a litmus test for the digital infrastructure of the peninsula, and the outcome has been very positive,” explains David Carrero Fernández-Baillo, co-founder of Stackscale (Grupo Aire), a European company specializing in cloud infrastructure and data centers. “Thanks to the preparation, contingency plans, and investment in redundant systems, total service continuity was achieved in critical environments,” he added.
Data Centers Ready for the Unexpected
Modern data centers are designed to operate in extreme situations. Most facilities feature:
- UPS systems (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that provide instant power while generators are activated.
- Redundant generators capable of maintaining the full load of the infrastructures.
- Real-time monitoring systems and technical staff available 24/7 for immediate intervention.
- Priority fuel supply contracts, including hot refueling, without the need to shut down generators.
These measures ensure that, in the event of prolonged power outages, service continuity is guaranteed even for days if necessary.
A Lesson in Digital Resilience
The situation experienced on April 28 underscores the importance of having a robust national infrastructure, decentralized and managed by capable and experienced providers. It also reinforces the need to continue investing in European digital sovereignty and in cloud operators that ensure the protection, availability, and scalability of the most sensitive data.
“More and more companies are aware that resilience is not just an option, but a strategic requirement. This type of event highlights the quiet work that infrastructure teams do day in and day out,” noted Carrero.
The outage on April 28 not only did not collapse the digital infrastructure of the Iberian Peninsula, but it also confirmed the high level of preparation, investment, and technical coordination in place. In a global context where threats—both natural and cyber—are on the rise, having resilient data centers has become a guarantee of continuity for modern societies.