popular articles

Hurricane Helene Causes Over 4.7 Million Power Outages in the Southeastern United States

The passage of Hurricane Helene causes over 4.7 million power outages in the Southeastern United States, impacting energy infrastructures and mobilizing restoration efforts.

Please share:

The passage of Hurricane Helene causes over 4.7 million power outages in the Southeastern United States, impacting energy infrastructures and mobilizing restoration efforts.

Hurricane Helene, classified as a Category 4 storm, makes landfall on September 26 near Perry, Florida, generating massive power outages across six states. Duke Energy reports the most significant disruptions with 1.63 million private customers without electricity. Georgia Power, Florida Power & Light, and Tennessee Valley Authority also experience severe interruptions, compromising electricity distribution in the region.

In Georgia, electric cooperatives report extensive damages, including over 100 high-voltage transmission lines and 60 substations out of service. These components are crucial for maintaining grid stability, and their destruction significantly slows down restoration operations.

Response of Energy Operators

Energy operators such as Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light quickly mobilize their teams to assess damages and restore service. Florida Power & Light has already restored electricity to over 460,000 customers, although 214,000 remain without power. Armando Pimentel, President of FPL, assures that restoration efforts continue intensively.

Duke Energy, covering states like South Carolina, Florida, and Ohio, deploys over 10,000 technicians from 23 states to repair damaged infrastructures. These teams work continuously despite adverse weather conditions, highlighting the complexity and scale of restoration operations.

Vulnerability of Nuclear and Gas Infrastructures

Nuclear power plants such as Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Oconee Nuclear Station, and Edwin I Hatch Nuclear Plant withstand the storm with minimal damage. However, gas infrastructure experiences interruptions, notably at Kinder Morgan’s Elba Island LNG export terminal. Although the terminal resumes operations, crude oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico decreases by 24% and 18%, respectively, affecting regional energy supplies.

Offshore gas production rebounds slightly, reaching 1.5 Bcf/d on September 27, but remains below average. Additionally, domestic gas demand decreases due to cooler temperatures, contributing to a drop in market prices.

Federal Coordination and Restoration Efforts

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates response efforts, with the Department of Energy (DOE) mobilizing over 50,000 personnel to assist with restoration. Ken Buell, Deputy Director for Response and Restoration at the DOE, states that resources are being deployed strategically, although the restoration timeline remains uncertain due to persistent weather conditions.

Strong winds and flooding complicate repair operations, limiting access to the most affected areas. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation as field teams work to secure and restore critical infrastructures necessary for restarting the electrical grid.

Perspectives and Lessons for the Energy Sector

The disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene highlight the fragility of energy systems in the face of extreme weather events. The need for continuous investments in infrastructure resilience and energy source diversification is reaffirmed as a priority to minimize future impacts.

Helene’s experience may influence risk management strategies and strengthen decarbonation initiatives by promoting a more robust and adaptable energy infrastructure. The energy sector must integrate these lessons to improve preparedness and response to future natural disasters, ensuring essential service continuity for the economy and society.

Hurricane Helene demonstrated the vulnerability of energy systems to natural disasters, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing investments in resilience and sectoral innovation to minimize future impacts.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

A massive fire broke out following a leak on a gas pipeline operated by Petronas in Selangor state, injuring over 100 people and causing significant damage in a residential area.
The head of Framatome will be heard on 30 April by both chambers to validate his nomination to lead EDF, following the non-renewal of Luc Rémont by the executive.
The head of Framatome will be heard on 30 April by both chambers to validate his nomination to lead EDF, following the non-renewal of Luc Rémont by the executive.
Following a series of major electricity outages on the island of Upolu, the Samoan government has declared a state of emergency to prioritise essential services and mobilise foreign aid.
Following a series of major electricity outages on the island of Upolu, the Samoan government has declared a state of emergency to prioritise essential services and mobilise foreign aid.
Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in Paris that Donald Trump’s decisions will not durably hinder the global rise of renewable energies, driven by falling solar production costs.
Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in Paris that Donald Trump’s decisions will not durably hinder the global rise of renewable energies, driven by falling solar production costs.
The Minister of Industry and Energy expressed openness to a debate and a vote on the 2025–2035 energy strategy, amid criticism from opposition parties over the lack of democratic consultation.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
Dutch organisation Milieudefensie is suing ING for its alleged role in financing fossil fuel projects, demanding the bank halve its CO2 emissions by 2030.
Dutch organisation Milieudefensie is suing ING for its alleged role in financing fossil fuel projects, demanding the bank halve its CO2 emissions by 2030.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.

Advertising