Spain was hit by a major power outage on Monday, April 28th which caused major disruptions across the country forcing businesses to shut down along with trains, subways and even some airline flights.
The reaction across Spain ranged from frantic stockpiling to confused bewilderment to calmly hunkering down and making do with old-fashioned electricity-free ways of living, for example battery-powered radios that became the only source of external communication in the absence of mobile data and the Internet.
For many, it was the moment they realised just how reliant we are on digital paymentA transfer of funds which discharges an obligation on the part of a payer vis-à-vis a payee. More systems. The blackout severely impacted most electronic payment systems. Without power, electronic payment terminals in places such as shops, restaurants, petrol stations and public services stopped working. Many ATMs were also down, either due to the lack of internet connection or simply because their backup batteries ran out.
A significant number of businesses in Spain reverted to cash-only transactions, creating long queues and purchase cancellations. For example, in Madrid-Barajas Airport, taxi drivers couldn’t accept card payments, forcing passengers without cashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More to find alternative transport options.
As a result, basic goods like bread, water and medicine became temporarily inaccessible for many people. So basically, we all realised how vulnerable we are when even buying some milk becomes impossible.
The recent electricity blackout that hit Spain on April 28, 2025 has highlighted an undeniable truth: in the digital age, cash remains a fundamental pillar of our society. As power and digital grids failed, cash emerged as the only way for citizens to access essential goods.
We must learn from the experience and conclude that a cashless future is in doubt.