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

As the United States considers another withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, major economic powers organize to maintain leadership in a rapidly transforming energy sector.
A report by France Stratégie warns of a potential 100% increase in water consumption in France by 2050, with agriculture, energy, and usage conflicts emerging as major challenges.
A report by France Stratégie warns of a potential 100% increase in water consumption in France by 2050, with agriculture, energy, and usage conflicts emerging as major challenges.
According to the British Meteorological Office (Met Office), carbon dioxide (CO2) has risen faster than ever, exceeding all projections and raising new questions about the global capacity to contain global warming.
According to the British Meteorological Office (Met Office), carbon dioxide (CO2) has risen faster than ever, exceeding all projections and raising new questions about the global capacity to contain global warming.
Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria's new Minister of Energy, emphasizes energy security and supply diversification while aligning with European goals for sustainable transition.
Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria's new Minister of Energy, emphasizes energy security and supply diversification while aligning with European goals for sustainable transition.
The Indonesian government’s plan to convert 20 million hectares of forests for food and energy sparks criticism from NGOs, which warn of irreversible environmental consequences.
In 2024, French electricity production hit an unprecedented milestone: 95% low-carbon energy, powered by nuclear and renewables. A record marking a strategic turning point in national energy policy.
In 2024, French electricity production hit an unprecedented milestone: 95% low-carbon energy, powered by nuclear and renewables. A record marking a strategic turning point in national energy policy.
In Nigeria, a tragic tanker truck explosion claimed 98 lives and injured 69 others. This incident highlights security challenges and the socio-economic consequences of ongoing reforms.
In Nigeria, a tragic tanker truck explosion claimed 98 lives and injured 69 others. This incident highlights security challenges and the socio-economic consequences of ongoing reforms.
Donald Trump announces the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and declares a national "energy emergency," jeopardizing global efforts to combat climate change.
Donald Trump announces the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and declares a national "energy emergency," jeopardizing global efforts to combat climate change.
A Bosnian entity adopts a text to build a gas pipeline toward Croatia. This measure aims to diversify supply and reduce reliance on Russian gas, under the notable impetus of American diplomacy.
Regulated electricity rates drop by 15%. Millions of households and small businesses are affected. The Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie confirms this development despite the end of the price shield and the Turpe increase.
Regulated electricity rates drop by 15%. Millions of households and small businesses are affected. The Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie confirms this development despite the end of the price shield and the Turpe increase.
During his Senate hearing, Chris Wright, Donald Trump’s Energy nominee, surprised many by acknowledging climate change while advocating for an energy growth strategy blending renewables and fossil fuels.
During his Senate hearing, Chris Wright, Donald Trump’s Energy nominee, surprised many by acknowledging climate change while advocating for an energy growth strategy blending renewables and fossil fuels.
Criticized by political figures, Ademe defends its management of 3.5 billion euros allocated to the ecological transition in collaboration with the state and local authorities.
Criticized by political figures, Ademe defends its management of 3.5 billion euros allocated to the ecological transition in collaboration with the state and local authorities.
CO2 emissions from global road transport could peak as early as 2025 thanks to the rise of electric vehicles and carbon regulations, according to an ICCT report.
The APA 2024 cycle marks a turning point for Norwegian energy, with 53 licenses distributed among 20 companies. These opportunities aim to maintain competitiveness and innovation in a key European sector.
The APA 2024 cycle marks a turning point for Norwegian energy, with 53 licenses distributed among 20 companies. These opportunities aim to maintain competitiveness and innovation in a key European sector.
Great River Energy collaborates with Prisma Photonics to monitor 90 miles of electrical lines in real-time in the United States, enhancing resilience against climate challenges and network disruptions.
Great River Energy collaborates with Prisma Photonics to monitor 90 miles of electrical lines in real-time in the United States, enhancing resilience against climate challenges and network disruptions.
In France, Carrefour and ten federations challenge a decree mandating the coverage of 50% of outdoor parking lots with photovoltaic canopies, citing unrealistic deadlines and significant economic impacts.
In France, Carrefour and ten federations challenge a decree mandating the coverage of 50% of outdoor parking lots with photovoltaic canopies, citing unrealistic deadlines and significant economic impacts.
In the Landes region, activists are trying to halt the construction of a high-voltage power line connecting France and Spain, a project valued at 3 billion euros.
The International Energy Agency highlights the Netherlands' ambitions to increase offshore wind capacity while addressing challenges to secure their energy transition.
The International Energy Agency highlights the Netherlands' ambitions to increase offshore wind capacity while addressing challenges to secure their energy transition.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management increases environmental penalties for offshore operations, aiming to ensure compliance from industry players.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management increases environmental penalties for offshore operations, aiming to ensure compliance from industry players.
A Kazakh court has ordered NCOC, an international oil consortium, to pay 6.6 million USD for excessive gas flaring at the Kachagan oil field, highlighting regional environmental challenges.
A Kazakh court has ordered NCOC, an international oil consortium, to pay 6.6 million USD for excessive gas flaring at the Kachagan oil field, highlighting regional environmental challenges.
The Mauritanian government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a 27 million USD grant agreement to modernize the country's electricity infrastructure and strengthen climate resilience.
Despite ambitious climate commitments, the United States only reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 0.2% in 2024. A report from the Rhodium Group highlights a concerning trajectory for achieving the targets set in the Paris Agreement.
Despite ambitious climate commitments, the United States only reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 0.2% in 2024. A report from the Rhodium Group highlights a concerning trajectory for achieving the targets set in the Paris Agreement.
The French Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, sees her responsibilities adjusted but remains in charge of combating climate change and leading decarbonization efforts despite losing direct control over energy.
The French Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, sees her responsibilities adjusted but remains in charge of combating climate change and leading decarbonization efforts despite losing direct control over energy.
When Justin Trudeau came to power in 2015, he symbolized the hope of a Canada that would lead the world in climate action. Nearly a decade later, he is leaving the political stage, leaving behind a controversial record. Carbon taxes, energy transition, and provincial tensions marked his tenure. With conservatives leading in the polls, the country is on the brink of a potential shift in its climate policy.
When Justin Trudeau came to power in 2015, he symbolized the hope of a Canada that would lead the world in climate action. Nearly a decade later, he is leaving the political stage, leaving behind a controversial record. Carbon taxes, energy transition, and provincial tensions marked his tenure. With conservatives leading in the polls, the country is on the brink of a potential shift in its climate policy.

Advertising