2025 Chile blackout
 | This article documents a nationwide power outage. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (February 2025) |
 Tobalaba station of Santiago Metro on the first minutes after the start of blackout | |
| Date | 25 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 3:16 p.m. - ongoing (CLT) |
| Location | Chile (nationwide) |
| Type | Power outage |
| Outcome | Shutdown of several crucial industries, most of Chile's population impacted |
On February 25, 2025, an extensive electrical failure affected the majority of Chile, impacting crucial infrastructure, industries, transportation systems, and public services throughout the country.
Overview
[edit]At 3:16 p.m. CLT (18:16 UTC) on February 25, 2025,[1] Chile experienced a widespread power failure that extended from the nation's northernmost Arica y Parinacota Region, which borders Peru, to the Los Lagos Region in the south. Fourteen of the nation's sixteen regions were affected.[2] The national emergency management agency, SENAPRED, confirmed the extensive nature of the blackout in an official statement. The sudden loss of electricity prompted an immediate emergency session by government authorities to coordinate crisis management efforts.[3] Most of Chile's population was impacted by the blackout,[4] with the affected area home to more than 90 percent of the country's population of 20 million.[5] President Gabriel Boric said that eight million homes lost electricity. Power was restored to 90% of consumption by February 26.[6]
The only two regions spared from the outage were the Aysén Region and Magallanes Region, the two southernmost regions of Chile with a combined population of less than 300,000 as of the 2017 census.
Impact
[edit]Mining
[edit]The power outage significantly disrupted Chile's mining industry. Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper corporation, confirmed that all of its mining operations throughout the country had been affected by the electrical failure. This included Escondida, the world's largest copper mine. The company implemented emergency protocols to ensure worker safety and protect facility infrastructure.[3][4]
Transportation
[edit]The power failure severely impacted transportation networks across Chile. The Santiago Metro suspended all subway services throughout the capital, while Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport activated emergency power systems to maintain essential operations. Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado, Chile's state-owned railway company, halted all long-distance train services operating from Santiago toward southern destinations.[3] In Santiago, the blackout reduced the percentage of functional stoplights to 27%.[6]
Major events
[edit]The blackout also forced the cancellation of the third night of the 64th Viña del Mar International Song Festival, which had to be rescheduled.[7] The second day of the 2025 Chile Open continued despite transmission interruptions; however, the matches scheduled for broadcast at night had to be rescheduled.[8][9]
The blackout forced the rescheduling of the Deportes Concepción versus Unión Española football match in the Copa Chile.[citation needed]
Response
[edit]Immediately following the power failure, electrical service providers initiated operations to identify the source of the outage and begin restoration procedures.[3] Interior Minister Carolina Tohá attributed the blackout to a transmission line failure in the north of the country and ruled out a cyberattack.[10]
Chilean government
[edit]In response to the crisis, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá announced an emergency meeting of COGRID Nacional, the government committee responsible for addressing national disasters. The committee was tasked with implementing measures to manage the emergency situation and coordinate efforts to restore electrical service.[3] A state of emergency and a curfew in affected areas lasting from 10pm on 25 February to 6am on 26 February were declared by President Gabriel Boric, who also criticized private companies running the electricity grid. The Interior Ministry also deployed to the military to ensure order.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Chile Suffers Extensive Electricity Blackout: Authority". Barron's. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Lemos, Gerardo (2025-02-25). "Chile experiences massive blackout, hitting 14 of its 16 regions". CNN. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ a b c d e "Chile Slammed by Massive Power Cut Affecting Most of Country". Bloomberg. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Power outage hits vast swaths of Chile, from largest copper mine to Santiago streets". Reuters. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ "Power restored to most homes after Chile's massive blackout". France 24. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Chile declares emergency as power outage plunges country into darkness". Al Jazeera. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ Gianluca Parrini; Claudio Vergara (2025-02-26). "Suspenden Festival de Viña del Mar y jornada se reprograma para el sábado". La Tercera. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "La señal se fue de inmediato: Chile Open se siguió jugando sin transmisión tras corte de luz". www.biobiochile.cl. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "Chile Open: el decreto de estado y catástrofe obliga a reprogramar la segunda jornada". ESPN.cl (in Spanish). 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
- ^ "Chile declares state of emergency after massive power outage". France 24. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.