Chile is recovering from a significant blackout affecting 8 million homes, the worst in 15 years. Power was restored to 94% of clients, though cable theft hindered some recovery efforts. The government is now focused on determining liabilities while public transportation resumes. The blackout’s origins trace back to faults in transmission lines, with security measures implemented during the outage.
Chile is gradually recovering from a significant power outage that left 8 million homes without electricity, marking the most severe incident of its kind in 15 years. Within a single night, power was restored to many households, and as of early Wednesday, 94% of clients were back online. Most residual outages remain in the northern areas due to cable theft that hindered rapid restoration efforts.
The Chilean government is now focusing on identifying the responsible parties for this blackout as the country returns to normalcy. Public transportation, including the Santiago subway, has resumed, following a complete shutdown due to the power loss. The government previously instituted a curfew and a state of emergency to prevent potential looting and disorder but has since lifted these measures.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha emphasized the government’s duty to enforce compliance and administer penalties related to this incident. She assured citizens that support for formal complaints would be provided and that relevant government institutions would act swiftly and diligently on their roles.
The blackout was initially caused by a fault in the transmission lines owned by ISA Interchile SA, exacerbated by failures in automated systems that manage the power grid. Energy Minister Diego Pardow mentioned these additional complications as contributing factors to the incident’s escalation.
In efforts to ensure security during the blackout, the military was called upon, resulting in 207 arrests. Tragically, three electricity-dependent individuals lost their lives during this outage. The government is investigating whether these deaths correlate directly to the blackout’s impact.
President Gabriel Boric condemned the situation, highlighting that the irresponsibility of certain companies significantly disrupted daily life for millions of citizens. He promised accountability for those responsible for the circumstances that led to this disruption.
Operations at all Codelco copper sites in Chile are gradually resuming as power supplies are restored. The company operating Anglos American’s facilities has also reported normalizing processes. However, BHP has indicated ongoing limitations at its Escondida mine during the outage.
The blackout’s impact extended from the northern Peruvian border to Los Lagos, affecting over 2,500 kilometers. The Chilean power authority indicated the failure originated between Vallenar and Coquimbo, but Minister Toha dismissed sabotage as a possible cause.
Disruptions also affected transportation services, resulting in lengthy delays. The absence of traffic signals led to numerous accidents, prompting Toha to advise the public against driving. Additionally, the annual Viña Del Mar music festival was canceled due to the power issues.
In summary, Chile is recovering from a major blackout that left millions without power, with restoration efforts underway. The government is investigating the causes of the outage and is focused on ensuring accountability for the companies involved. Amidst these challenges, essential services and operations are beginning to return to normal, although safety concerns remain paramount following this extensive disruption.
Original Source: business.financialpost.com
