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Heatwave Strains France's Distribution Network

Overheating transformers have triggered outages that could endanger potable-water production if power cuts persist.

Overview

  • Enedis reported at 19:00 on Thursday that about 50,000 customers were without electricity because of heat-related incidents, with roughly 33,000 affected in the Yvelines, 7,400 in Hauts-de-Seine and 5,700 in Gironde.
  • A transformer in La Rochelle exploded from overheating and cut power to nearly 10,000 people before Enedis and transmission operator RTE restored service to part of the area, firefighters said.
  • Enedis activated its rapid-intervention 'Fire' force and operators have deployed backup generators, dual electrical feeds and interconnections to limit outages and speed restorations.
  • Water companies such as Suez said four treatment plants experienced short supply ruptures but interconnection and backup systems have so far prevented widespread loss of tap water for users.
  • Authorities have issued prefectural limits on non-essential water use and warned that longer or wider outages would raise the risk of cascading failures that could force tanker deliveries or localized supply interruptions.