On Friday, four Balkan countries—Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, and large areas of the Croatian coast—experienced simultaneous power cuts that lasted several hours. The blackouts occurred as the region endured a summer heatwave with temperatures approaching 40°C.
Cause of the Blackouts
The power cuts were triggered by a surge in electricity demand as households switched on air-conditioning units to combat the high temperatures. This sudden increase in power consumption overwhelmed the interlinked power systems of the affected countries.
Impact on Daily Life
The blackouts caused significant disruption, particularly in Bosnia and Croatia, where traffic lights went out, leading to transport chaos. In Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, even water pumps ground to a halt. The loss of power also impacted the tourist season in Croatian resorts, with holidaymakers in Dubrovnik facing disarray as restaurants, pubs, and supermarkets closed their doors.
Restoration Efforts
Power suppliers managed to largely restore electricity by the evening, but they were still working to identify the precise location of the failure within the interconnected power systems of the four countries.
Ongoing Challenges
The heatwave and the resulting power outages highlight the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions and the need for robust infrastructure to handle surges in power demand. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and work on preventing similar occurrences in the future.
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