Cyprus Times

Blackout Hits Buenos Aires Amid Heatwave

Published December 31, 2025, 19:08
Blackout Hits Buenos Aires Amid Heatwave

A major blackout struck Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas in the early hours of New Year's Day, leaving approximately one million households and businesses without power. The cause was attributed to increased demand due to the heatwave affecting Argentina, with temperatures reaching 30°C overnight and expected to rise to 38°C the following day. Power company Edesur reported that the outage was gradually restored, with only a few thousand customers remaining without electricity by midday. During the power cut, residents and merchants expressed their discontent by banging pots and pans. The incident coincided with the announcement of a 2% increase in electricity bills from January 1st, which may have further fueled public anger. Reports indicate that the outage was triggered by an accident at a power plant near the capital. Officials link the accident to a surge in electricity demand ahead of the holidays. This incident highlights the vulnerability of the power grid to extreme weather conditions and the need for infrastructure investment to cope with growing demand.