Power Outage Hits 2.2 Million in Southeast Mexico

A widespread power outage hit Mexico’s southeast on Friday, leaving more than 2.2 million users in Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo without electricity for several hours.

The disruption began at 2:19 p.m. local time, when maintenance work on two 400kV transmission lines (LT ESA A3Q20 / A3Q30 TIC) carrying 2,174MW caused a failure that forced nine power plants offline, affecting 16 generating units.

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), working alongside grid operator CENACE, launched immediate restoration efforts. By 4:10 p.m., transmission lines at 230kV and 400kV had been re-energized, gradually bringing power back to major cities including Merida, Valladolid, Cancun, Ciudad del Carmen, and Chetumal.

Full service was restored by 8:40 p.m., about six hours after the failure. According to CFE, 16% of users saw power return within the first hour, while 63% were reconnected within just under five hours. Complete restoration of the 2.27 million affected users took six hours and 21 minutes.

The Ministry of Energy (SENER) says it continues to monitor the regional grid in coordination with CFE and CENACE to ensure stability. Authorities pledge to keep the public informed should any additional issues arise.