A Quarter-Million Customers Left in the Dark
By Sunday at 13:00, approximately 245,000 customers of the distribution system operator JSC “Sadales tīkls” remained without electricity.
Latviju skārusi spēcīgākā vasaras vētra vismaz kopš 1966. gada; traucēta elektroapgāde un mobilie sakari. While utility crews worked through the night in an intensified operational mode, power outages and mobile network disruptions continue to affect tens of thousands of households.
Destruction Across High-Voltage Substations
Latvia’s power grid faced a test when violent summer weather battered the country.
By Sunday at 7:00, the operation of 46 out of more than 150 substations operated by JSC “Augstsprieguma tīkls” (AST) was disrupted. The physical damage to high-voltage infrastructure included five 330 kV overhead power lines and 44 110 kV lines, plunging nearly 277,000 customers of “Sadales tīkls” into darkness.
Round-the-Clock Repairs and Modest Reductions
Utility crews faced challenges as winds uprooted trees and tangled lines across multiple regions.
By Sunday at 13:00, the repair efforts yielded a reduction in outages. JSC “Sadales tīkls” reported that the number of disconnected customers dropped by 32,000 compared to the situation at 7:00. Nevertheless, 245,000 customers remained without electricity.
Deploying 206 Specialized Teams and Cross-Border Aid
Restoring power to a fragmented grid requires precision and logistical coordination.
JSC “Sadales tīkls” deployed 206 teams to inspect power lines and localize damages. Because transmission networks take priority in stabilizing the broader grid, some teams worked with installers from JSC “Augstsprieguma tīkls” (AST) to mend high-voltage pathways.
An agreement was reached for support with the Estonian distribution system operator “Elektrilevi.”
Scattered Victories and Days of Ongoing Work
Early signs of recovery have emerged in select pockets.
JSC “Sadales tīkls” confirmed that electricity supply has been restored for some customers in Salaspils, Cēsis municipality, Saldus, and Dobele. However, these localized victories contrast sharply with the reality facing households elsewhere in the country.
Given the extensive damages, it may take several days to restore the power lines.
