Narayan AmmachchiChile’s power outage and the subsequent imposition of a curfew have significantly impacted the country’s economy and global reputation, with Britain advising its citizens against traveling to the South American nation.
The blackout, caused by a software malfunction in a major electricity grid, plunged 90% of the country into darkness, including the capital, Santiago. The failure in electronic and software protection systems disconnected a critical 500 kV high-voltage transmission line between the Vallenar and Coquimbo power stations in the Norte Chico region.
Many have blamed electricity distributor ISA Interchile, a subsidiary of the Colombian state-owned company ISA, though an official investigation is still underway.
As the outage persisted, long-distance train services were suspended, and the Santiago Metro came to a complete halt. On the streets, commuters faced chaos as traffic lights went out, prompting authorities to deploy police to prevent potential crimes such as looting. Mobile phone services also experienced disruptions in some areas.
Although power was restored to most of the country by Wednesday, more than 220,000 residents remained without electricity. The blackout also affected Chile’s mining industry, with several major companies halting operations for hours. As the world’s largest copper producer, Chile accounts for about a quarter of global copper output, making the disruption particularly significant.
LATAM Airlines, Latin America’s largest carrier, warned of potential flight disruptions, advising passengers to check their travel status in advance.
Meanwhile, Britain issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens heading to Chile to stay informed about the evolving power situation.
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