Major Power Outage in Buenos Aires Affects Over 600,000 Customers
A power outage in Buenos Aires left over 600,000 customers without electricity amid a summer heat wave. The blackout was caused by a high-voltage line failure, impacting public transport and traffic control. Efforts to restore power are underway, amidst ongoing concerns about Argentina’s electricity infrastructure and past regulatory practices.
In Buenos Aires, a significant power outage has resulted in over 600,000 customers losing electricity during a persistent summer heat wave. The blackout, which commenced on Wednesday at 12:40 p.m., was triggered by the abrupt failure of a high-voltage power line, following an earlier outage that had just been resolved by officials hours before, according to the Secretariat of Energy.
The power disruption, which intensified usage during soaring temperatures, caused multiple substations to go offline. Edesur, the electricity company servicing parts of Buenos Aires, reported that its technicians are actively working to restore power. As temperatures reached a heat index of 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the impact of the outage was felt widely.
Municipal authorities indicated that the blackout halted subway services across all lines and disabled 50 traffic lights, leading to significant traffic disruptions. The chaos in central and southern Buenos Aires necessitated the deployment of numerous traffic officers. By Wednesday afternoon, services had resumed on all but two train lines, although rescue operations were underway for individuals trapped in elevators.
Blackouts are not uncommon in Argentina, particularly during peak demand periods, such as the hotter months of the Southern Hemisphere. Past policies under previous administrations that kept electricity prices overly regulated have resulted in inadequate investment in the electricity sector. However, the current administration under libertarian President Javier Milei has seen utility rates rise, as he encourages foreign investment in major energy infrastructure projects.
The recent power outage in Buenos Aires highlights ongoing issues within Argentina’s electricity sector, particularly during peak demand periods. With over 600,000 residents affected, the event underscores the need for sufficient infrastructure investment and the implications of regulatory policies on energy supply. Effective recovery efforts were initiated, yet the recurrence of such outages emphasizes the vulnerabilities present in the current energy framework.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
