Chile Restores Power After Major Blackout Amid Inquiries and Safety Concerns
Chile has restored electricity after a national blackout disrupted service to 98% of the population, leading to a curfew. Investigations into its cause are ongoing as authorities assess safety concerns and the impact on investor confidence. Major companies resumed operations as power returned, highlighting the pressing need for reliable energy infrastructure.
Electricity has been restored to most of Chile’s 19 million inhabitants following a significant blackout on February 25, 2025. The outage left around 98% of the population without power, prompting the government to impose a strict curfew. By Wednesday, power returned to all 14 affected regions, although 220,000 residents continued to experience outages, particularly in the north where the blackout originated.
The cause of the blackout is still under investigation, as a fault in a transmission line triggered the interruption. Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Tohá noted that the restoration process became more complicated due to this fault. Amid recovery efforts, investigations have also begun concerning the deaths of three individuals who relied on medical devices during the outage.
As services resumed in the capital Santiago, the previous state of emergency was not extended. Many citizens, especially in areas like Maipú, waited anxiously for essential services such as electricity and water to be restored. Commuters faced challenges navigating intersections without traffic lights, prompting the government to promise increased security measures to manage traffic.
Major companies, including the state-owned Codelco, resumed operations at their mines as electricity supply stabilized. The blackout is the most severe experienced by Chile since the catastrophic earthquake of 2010, which similarly disrupted power and communications nationwide. President Gabriel Boric condemned energy transmission companies and announced investigations into their accountability for the incident, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to ensure reliable infrastructure.
Bernardo Castro, a risk management expert from Universidad Finis Terrae, cautioned that the blackout raises concerns among potential foreign investors regarding Chile’s electricity generation reliability. He criticized the lack of contingency planning for such large-scale failures, calling for a reevaluation of the privatized electric infrastructure that has been in place since the Pinochet era. Critics are advocating for the government to take a more proactive role in electricity infrastructure planning.
In summary, the restoration of electricity in Chile follows a historic blackout that affected millions and raised significant safety and infrastructure concerns. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover the causes of the blackout, particularly focusing on the performance of energy transmission companies. The situation prompts discussions about the need for government involvement in electrical infrastructure planning to prevent future failures and foster investor confidence.
Original Source: apnews.com
