Publication date:
February 26, 2025
Chilean Energy Crisis: Nationwide Blackout Triggers State of Emergency
A major power outage affected 14 of Chile's 16 regions, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency and implement a curfew.
Infrastructure
A severe electricity blackout plunged most of Chile into darkness on Tuesday, affecting approximately 8 million homes and triggering a state of emergency declaration by President Gabriel Boric. The outage, occurring during Chile's summer with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius in Santiago, impacted 14 of the country's 16 regions, causing widespread disruption to daily life and critical infrastructure.
The National Electric Coordinator reported that by Wednesday, 90% of affected homes and businesses had their power restored. However, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá acknowledged ongoing issues, with 220,000 customers still without electricity. The cause of the blackout remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting a disruption in a high-voltage backbone transmission line that carries power from the Atacama Desert to Santiago.
The power failure led to significant disruptions across various sectors. Internet and mobile phone services were down in many areas, and parts of Santiago's transport network were suspended. Hospitals, prisons, and government buildings switched to backup generators to maintain essential services. The national gendarmerie force was deployed to ensure public safety and manage traffic flow.
President Boric expressed strong criticism of electricity companies, stating that the situation was "not tolerable" and promising firm action and thorough investigations. The government implemented a curfew from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday as part of its emergency response.
The blackout's impact extended to various aspects of daily life, including the suspension of metro services in Santiago and potential disruptions to airline flights. The outage also affected internet connectivity, with national connectivity dropping to 25% of ordinary levels according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of Chile's power infrastructure and raises questions about the country's energy security. As investigations continue, the focus will likely shift to preventing similar occurrences in the future and enhancing the resilience of the national power grid.
The National Electric Coordinator reported that by Wednesday, 90% of affected homes and businesses had their power restored. However, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá acknowledged ongoing issues, with 220,000 customers still without electricity. The cause of the blackout remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting a disruption in a high-voltage backbone transmission line that carries power from the Atacama Desert to Santiago.
The power failure led to significant disruptions across various sectors. Internet and mobile phone services were down in many areas, and parts of Santiago's transport network were suspended. Hospitals, prisons, and government buildings switched to backup generators to maintain essential services. The national gendarmerie force was deployed to ensure public safety and manage traffic flow.
President Boric expressed strong criticism of electricity companies, stating that the situation was "not tolerable" and promising firm action and thorough investigations. The government implemented a curfew from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday as part of its emergency response.
The blackout's impact extended to various aspects of daily life, including the suspension of metro services in Santiago and potential disruptions to airline flights. The outage also affected internet connectivity, with national connectivity dropping to 25% of ordinary levels according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of Chile's power infrastructure and raises questions about the country's energy security. As investigations continue, the focus will likely shift to preventing similar occurrences in the future and enhancing the resilience of the national power grid.
