Widespread Power Outage in Buenos Aires Leaves Over 600,000 Customers Without Electricity
A recent power outage in Buenos Aires left over 600,000 residents without electricity during a severe heat wave, affecting public transport and traffic systems. The outage occurred just hours after service restoration from an earlier incident, highlighting the strain on the city’s electric grid and infrastructure.
A significant power outage in Buenos Aires affected over 600,000 customers, severely disrupting the city’s infrastructure. The blackout commenced at 12:40 p.m. during a heat wave, exacerbating energy demands and testing the electric grid’s limits. This incident came just hours after service was restored from an earlier outage, as reported by the Secretariat of Energy.
Edesur, the electricity provider for Buenos Aires, noted that several substations were knocked offline due to the outage. Technicians were deployed urgently to restore service, with temperatures reaching a heat index of 42°C (107.6°F). This power failure impacted multiple sectors, leading to suspended subway services and malfunctioning traffic lights.
The outage prompted significant chaos in central and southern Buenos Aires, necessitating the deployment of traffic officers due to darkened stoplights. Although service resumed on most train lines later in the day, people remained stranded for periods, and pedestrians faced challenges navigating congested streets.
Power outages are relatively frequent in Argentina, particularly during peak summer demand. The lack of investment in the electricity sector resulted from the long-standing freezing of electricity prices under past governments. However, utility rates increased under President Javier Milei’s administration, which has sought foreign investment for large energy infrastructure projects.
In summary, the recent power outage in Buenos Aires underscores the challenges faced by the city’s electric grid amid rising demands from a heat wave. The incident highlights ongoing structural issues within Argentina’s electricity sector, exacerbated by historical price controls and recent changes under the current administration. The response from authorities demonstrates the immediate effects of such failures on urban life and infrastructure.
Original Source: apnews.com
