The Worst Power Blackouts
United States (1/8)
In August 2003, a massive blackout swept the north-eastern United States as a result of a grid overload, shutting down more than 100 power plants.
This was the largest power outage in North American history, with a total over 50 million people affected. President Bush called the blackout a "wake up call" and urged the modernization of antiquated electricity infrastructure. (Photo: Reuters)
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United States (1/8)
In August 2003, a massive blackout swept the north-eastern United States as a result of a grid overload, shutting down more than 100 power plants.
This was the largest power outage in North American history, with a total over 50 million people affected. President Bush called the blackout a "wake up call" and urged the modernization of antiquated electricity infrastructure. (Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
United States (2/8)
When New York City was hit by the biggest North American power outage in history, over 20 million people were left for up to 24 hours in the dark.
The shut down of subways, traffic lights, elevators, cash machines, and petrol stations resulted in chaos. Thousands of people were caught in elevators. The streets were crowded with people that did not manage to get home and had to spend the night on the sidewalk. (Photo: Reuters)
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United States (2/8)
When New York City was hit by the biggest North American power outage in history, over 20 million people were left for up to 24 hours in the dark.
The shut down of subways, traffic lights, elevators, cash machines, and petrol stations resulted in chaos. Thousands of people were caught in elevators. The streets were crowded with people that did not manage to get home and had to spend the night on the sidewalk. (Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
Moscow (3/8)
In May 2005, Moscow was plunged into chaos for several hours after a big power outage. The cut paralyzed public transport and left homes, shops, restaurants, and hospitals without power. Over 1,500 people were reported to be stuck in elevators. About 20,000 commuters were evacuated from underground trains or otherwise stranded by the outage.
The immediate cause was a fire in a substation, but Russian President Vladimir Putin used the blackout to decry the state-owned electricity monopoly, and lack of investment in power stations and grids. (Photo: Reuters)
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Moscow (3/8)
In May 2005, Moscow was plunged into chaos for several hours after a big power outage. The cut paralyzed public transport and left homes, shops, restaurants, and hospitals without power. Over 1,500 people were reported to be stuck in elevators. About 20,000 commuters were evacuated from underground trains or otherwise stranded by the outage.
The immediate cause was a fire in a substation, but Russian President Vladimir Putin used the blackout to decry the state-owned electricity monopoly, and lack of investment in power stations and grids. (Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
Argentina (4/8)
About 500,000 people were without power for 11 days in Buenos Aires after a fire at an electrical substation caused what has become one of the worst blackouts in Argentina’s history.
City residents blockaded the streets with their domestic electrical appliances to protest. Government officials said they would impose fines of at least 69 million dollars on Edesur, the Chilean-owned electric utility that owned the substation. The company finally agreed to pay tens of millions of dollars in compensation to consumers.(Photo: Reuters)
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Argentina (4/8)
About 500,000 people were without power for 11 days in Buenos Aires after a fire at an electrical substation caused what has become one of the worst blackouts in Argentina’s history.
City residents blockaded the streets with their domestic electrical appliances to protest. Government officials said they would impose fines of at least 69 million dollars on Edesur, the Chilean-owned electric utility that owned the substation. The company finally agreed to pay tens of millions of dollars in compensation to consumers.(Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
Western Europe (5/8)
In November 2006, a blackout in Western Europe left over 10 million people in darkness and sparked a EU-wide debate about electricity transmission and regulation. German power company E.ON had turned off a high voltage line over the River Ems to let a ship pass underneath.
The switch-off caused a chain reaction of outages across western Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands. (Photo: Reuters)
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Western Europe (5/8)
In November 2006, a blackout in Western Europe left over 10 million people in darkness and sparked a EU-wide debate about electricity transmission and regulation. German power company E.ON had turned off a high voltage line over the River Ems to let a ship pass underneath.
The switch-off caused a chain reaction of outages across western Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands. (Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
India (6/8)
In January 2001, India faced a massive blackout with 220 million people affected for 13 hours. Officials blamed antiquated equipment for the outage.
Across India blackouts are common occurrences, costing millions of dollars in lost industrial production. The electricity crisis represents one of the major hurdles to India’s ability to hoist itself to the top ranks of the global economy. (Photo: Reuters)
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India (6/8)
In January 2001, India faced a massive blackout with 220 million people affected for 13 hours. Officials blamed antiquated equipment for the outage.
Across India blackouts are common occurrences, costing millions of dollars in lost industrial production. The electricity crisis represents one of the major hurdles to India’s ability to hoist itself to the top ranks of the global economy. (Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
Italy (7/8)
A blackout hit Italy in September 2003. Almost all of the country's 57 million people were affected. The problem was blamed on a series of failures on power lines from Switzerland and France due to heavy storms.
The timing of the outage, early in the morning with most of the country asleep, ensured that the impacts were relatively minor. However, about 110 trains carrying more than 30,000 passengers were stranded and several hundred people were trapped in underground trains. (Photo: Reuters)
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Italy (7/8)
A blackout hit Italy in September 2003. Almost all of the country's 57 million people were affected. The problem was blamed on a series of failures on power lines from Switzerland and France due to heavy storms.
The timing of the outage, early in the morning with most of the country asleep, ensured that the impacts were relatively minor. However, about 110 trains carrying more than 30,000 passengers were stranded and several hundred people were trapped in underground trains. (Photo: Reuters)
The Worst Power Blackouts
China (8/8)
In January and February 2008, China was hit by a series of snow storms that left millions of people without power in east-central and southern China. The storm knocked out electricity and water supplies and stranded millions of migrant workers trying to get home for the Chinese New Year.
The Communist Party responded by mobilizing around two million military personnel to provide relief aid, help restore power, and get trains moving again. (Photo: Reuters)
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China (8/8)
In January and February 2008, China was hit by a series of snow storms that left millions of people without power in east-central and southern China. The storm knocked out electricity and water supplies and stranded millions of migrant workers trying to get home for the Chinese New Year.
The Communist Party responded by mobilizing around two million military personnel to provide relief aid, help restore power, and get trains moving again. (Photo: Reuters)
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