Total blackout in Panama
A private power plant failure disrupts the electrical grid.
Image for illustration purposes
Panama: On 15 March, a major disruption to Panama’s national power grid led to widespread blackouts and affected the supply of potable water. Authorities are currently investigating the root cause of the incident.
A nationwide power failure occurred after a malfunction at a private power plant caused an automatic shutdown of the grid. The outage, which took place just before midnight, prompted President José Raul Mulino to call for a thorough investigation and a detailed report on the failure.
The blackout impacted vital infrastructure, including water treatment facilities. The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) reported disruptions in potable water distribution, as pumping stations were unable to operate without electricity.
Preliminary findings indicate that the outage stemmed from a failure in a privately owned power generator, which triggered the grid’s automatic protection system. A video shared by President Mulino shows a fire at a power plant in Panama Oeste province, potentially linked to the incident.
Technical teams have begun work to restore electricity across the country. The president confirmed that progress was being made and emphasised the need for stronger preventive measures to avoid future large-scale failures.
This incident underscores the fragility of Panama’s energy system, particularly the reliability of private infrastructure connected to the grid. Authorities are now focusing on improving oversight and strengthening security measures to ensure a more stable power supply.
Source: Energy News
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