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الوسم: power outages

  • India faces power shortages as heatwave spikes electricity demand to record

    India faces power shortages as heatwave spikes electricity demand to record

    Parts of India are experiencing power outages as record-breaking temperatures push electricity demand to an all-time high of over 270 gigawatts. In response, the government has asked consumers to reduce their energy usage. An El Nino weather pattern is causing above-average summer temperatures across much of the subcontinent this May, with residents in Chennai reporting nighttime outages lasting between 40 minutes and an hour, particularly impacting manufacturing and tech hubs.

    “South Chennai has faced frequent power cuts over the past couple of days, with outages happening at short intervals,” said R Hari, a local resident. “This makes it hard to work from home.” According to the national grid operator, late Thursday evening’s power deficit hit around 2.57 gigawatts.

    The Ministry of Power issued a statement on Friday urging people to conserve electricity during this intense summer period, saying, “Although we are ready to supply electricity as needed, due to the extreme heat, everyone should use power wisely and responsibly.”

    Supply shortages are especially severe in the evenings, as the grid relies heavily on thermal and hydropower sources during those hours. During the day, solar energy partially meets the rising demand. Experts note that the extreme heat and soaring electricity needs are straining India’s power system—highlighting the urgent need to accelerate the development of battery storage systems to better utilize surplus solar power collected at night.

    Weather agencies have forecasted “heatwave to severe heatwave conditions” in New Delhi and much of northern and eastern India from Friday through May 27. Many residents in the capital and nearby Noida have taken to social media to complain about power outages during nighttime. In Odisha, a state on the eastern coast, some consumers have protested longer and more frequent outages that occur both during the day and night.

  • US Storm Cuts Power to 850K, Cancels 10K Flights

    US Storm Cuts Power to 850K, Cancels 10K Flights

    Heavy snowfall, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerously low temperatures are anticipated across the U.S. this Sunday. At least 12 states have received federal emergency declarations in response. Power outages are affecting states including Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, among others, with over 850,000 customers still without electricity as of Sunday morning. The outages are most severe in Tennessee, with nearly 300,000 affected, along with more than 100,000 each in Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. Other impacted states include Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama.

    Flight cancellations have surpassed 10,200 nationwide for Sunday, following more than 4,000 cancellations on Saturday. Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport canceled all of its flights for the day. Airlines like Delta announced plans to operate on reduced schedules depending on weather conditions, especially in cold-weather hubs where de-icing and baggage operations are being supported by relocating staff.

    The National Weather Service forecasts heavy snowfall from the Ohio Valley up through New England, with New England potentially receiving up to 18 inches. The southeastern U.S. and parts of the Mid-Atlantic are expected to get rain and freezing rain. The storm is also bringing intense cold and wind chills from the southern plains to the Northeast, creating prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure challenges.

    President Donald Trump designated emergency status for several states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia, calling the storm “historic.” Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have declared weather emergencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warned residents to prepare by stocking up on fuel and food, emphasizing the severity of the cold.

    Energy officials issued emergency orders to stabilize the power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has been authorized to deploy backup generation to prevent blackouts at critical facilities, including data centers. Similarly, PJM Interconnection in the Mid-Atlantic has been allowed to run certain resources beyond normal limits due to the storm. Electric grid operators across the country are taking precautions against rotating outages.

    Virginia-based Dominion Energy highlighted that if the forecasted ice conditions materialize, this winter event could rank among the largest impacting their operations. These measures underscore the widespread effort to manage the storm’s impact and ensure public safety.

  • US Storm Causes Poweroutages for 160,000, Cancels Thousands of Flights

    US Storm Causes Poweroutages for 160,000, Cancels Thousands of Flights

    Over 4,000 flights in the U.S. were canceled on Saturday, with more than 9,400 cancellations expected Sunday, due to a massive winter storm. This storm has already knocked out power for over 160,000 utility customers across regions including Texas and poses a threat of severe snowfall and dangerous winter conditions across the eastern half of the country into the upcoming week.

    Forecasters predict snow, sleet, and freezing rain, coupled with dangerously low temperatures, will impact the eastern two-thirds of the nation. President Donald Trump has labeled the event “historic,” activating federal emergency declarations in 12 states: South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. He urged Americans to stay updated, stay warm, and take precautions.

    Seventeen states along with the District of Columbia have declared weather emergencies. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, mentioned that thousands of residents in southern states are experiencing power outages, with utility crews working to restore electricity as quickly as possible. The outages are expected to increase, with over 160,000 customers still without power as of late Saturday, mainly in Louisiana and Texas.

    The Department of Energy has issued emergency orders to assist the Electric Reliability Council of Texas in deploying backup power at key facilities, aiming to prevent widespread blackouts. The National Weather Service warns the storm will bring extensive and prolonged ice accumulation, especially in the southeastern U.S., with potential for devastating impacts.

    Forecasts also indicate record-breaking cold temperatures and severe wind chills, especially into the Great Plains by Monday. Flight tracking suggests over 4,000 cancellations for Saturday flights and more than 9,400 for Sunday, with airline companies advising travelers to anticipate sudden changes. Delta Air Lines has adjusted schedules, particularly in Atlanta, Boston, and New York City, and is reallocating staff from cold-weather hubs to support de-icing and baggage operations at southern airports.

    JetBlue has canceled roughly 1,000 flights through Monday, with additional cancellations likely. United Airlines has announced proactive flight cancellations in the worst-hit areas to better manage the weather situation. Meanwhile, electrical grid operators across the country are implementing increased precautions to avoid rolling blackouts.

    Virginia’s Dominion Energy reports that if forecasted ice levels materialize, this could be among the largest winter events affecting their operations. Homeland Security Secretary Noem emphasized the importance of preparation, advising citizens to stock up on fuel and food to endure the extreme cold and inclement weather ahead.

  • Drone Attack Halts Major Iraq Gas Field, Causes Widespread Kurdistan Power Outages

    Drone Attack Halts Major Iraq Gas Field, Causes Widespread Kurdistan Power Outages

    A drone attack forced the shutdown of operations at the Khor Mor gas field, a key energy site in Iraqi Kurdistan, leading to widespread power outages in the northern region. All gas supplies to regional power stations were cut off following the assault, according to a joint statement from the Natural Resources and Electricity ministries.

    Residents across the area are experiencing significant power disruptions, with officials estimating a 3,000-megawatt decrease in electricity production due to the attack. Reports indicate the strike damaged storage tanks, igniting a fire and injuring some workers. Fire crews are still working to control the blaze, with repair efforts expected to take two to three days to restore the main liquid-gas storage facility.

    A worker on the scene described the incident: “A drone hit a major gas storage site at the field, causing significant damage. Firefighters are still battling the flames.” Video clips from local broadcaster Rudaw show smoke rising from the site and a blackout in Erbil following the incident.

    Investigative teams from both ministries, along with Dubai-based energy firm Dana Gas, which operates part of the field, are examining the damage. The Pearl Consortium, comprising Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, owns development rights for the Khor Mor field.

    According to Iraq’s Security Media Cell, the attack was perpetrated by terrorists, causing a main storage tank to catch fire but resulting in no casualties. Authorities warned that the power shortages will worsen in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah and pledged to pursue those responsible. No group has claimed responsibility yet, but this marks the second recent drone attack on the field. Kurdish security forces thwarted a drone reconnaissance attempt just days earlier by opening fire on the device.