Massive Power Outage Hits Paris: Thousands Left in Darkness Amid Heatwave

On June 24, 2024, central Paris experienced a massive power outage that left thousands of residents and businesses without electricity for nearly six hours during a record-breaking heatwave. The blackout began at 3:00 PM local time due to the unexpected failure of a critical high-voltage transformer at the Bercy substation.

Utility company Enedis quickly dispatched repair crews and managed to restore power to most affected areas by 9:00 PM. However, the outage caused widespread disruptions:

• Traffic lights went dark during rush hour, resulting in several minor accidents.
• Public transport faced delays, with many metro stations losing electricity and forcing passengers to exit trains early.
• Hospitals switched to backup generators to maintain critical services, with no serious injuries reported.

Residents reported stressful inconveniences including getting stuck in elevators and losing internet connectivity. Many cafés and shops closed early as their cooling systems failed. In response, local authorities set up emergency cooling centers to assist vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with medical conditions.

Enedis confirmed the transformer failure was caused by equipment overheating amid soaring temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit). The heatwave significantly increased electricity demand, placing extra strain on the power grid.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo apologized for the disruption and announced plans to upgrade the city’s power infrastructure. She encouraged residents to conserve energy by limiting air conditioning use during peak hours. Energy experts also stressed the importance of modernizing infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather linked to climate change.

This blackout underscores the challenges faced by urban centers in maintaining a reliable power supply as environmental pressures mount. Authorities continue monitoring the situation closely as high temperatures persist.

About The Author