# Latin America power outages and grid upgrades > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-strengthens-electricity-grid-with-transformer-commissioning-and-upgrades > Updated: 2026-08-07T14:32:51.000Z. Sources: 137. Developments: 34. Heavy rains and extreme heat continue to strain electricity systems across Latin America. In Chile, floods in the San Juan–El Tranque sector left residents without power for more than two days, while rural families in Loncoche endured outages of up to eight days; damaged road embankments forced the closure of the Valiente bridge on route N‑309 and prompted health‑agency counseling for flood‑affected families. The Dominican Republic has pursued extensive grid‑modernisation: utilities have built new substations, installed dozens of transformers and medium‑voltage lines, upgraded public lighting, and launched a RD$518 million sub‑station repowering programme covering 17 sites. Scheduled maintenance caused short‑term outages in several municipalities, and a protest in Sabana Grande de Boyá highlighted resistance to transformer removal. ETED’s contingency plan for the 2026 cyclone season, a 600 MW two‑hour storage project, and the $2.1 bn Hostos HVDC link to Puerto Rico aim to boost resilience, while contracts for 325 MW of renewable generation with battery storage and major transformer deliveries target service for over 900 families. Mexico faces rolling blackouts in more than 20 states as record heat drives air‑conditioner use and overloads ageing transmission assets; protests have erupted in Veracruz and Mexico City, and illegal “diablitos” connections and cable theft compound grid stress. Regional outages have also affected Argentina, Colombia and Cuba, underscoring a continent‑wide need for accelerated infrastructure investment and coordinated emergency response. LED streetlight upgrades have expanded. Puebla, Mexico, completed LED conversion for 184 fixtures serving 3,400 residents; the Dominican Republic’s Edesur installed nearly 10,000 LEDs across 12 jurisdictions; similar projects launched in Venezuela, Argentina and Ecuador to improve safety and cut energy use. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Dominican Republic's ETED Schedules Transmission Line Maintenance and Navy Partnership ETED will perform corrective maintenance on a 69 kV line, causing temporary outages, and has signed a cooperation pact with the Dominican Navy to protect the national transmission system. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republics-eted-schedules-transmission-line-maintenance-and-navy-partnership ### 2026-08-07: EDESTE upgrades Los Mina substation, reduces outages in Santo Domingo EDESTE's Los Mina substation upgrade in Santo Domingo Este has cut blackout frequency, but broader distribution flaws and meter delays still affect many Dominicans. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeste-upgrades-los-mina-substation-reduces-outages-in-santo-domingo ### 2026-08-05: LED Streetlight Modernizations Roll Out in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Beyond Latin American cities are upgrading street lighting to LED, installing thousands of new luminarias to boost safety, cut energy use and modernize public spaces. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edesur-dominicana-upgrades-nearly-10000-streetlights-across-12-districts ### 2026-07-23: Dominican Republic advances major electricity infrastructure upgrades Dominican Republic rolls out extensive electricity upgrades, including a hospital renovation, a new transmission line, a Montecristi sub‑station upgrade, a RD$1.9 billion Edesur expansion, and power upgrades at 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edesur-launches-rd19-bn-grid-rehabilitation-program-across-11-dominican-provinces ### 2026-07-20: Edesur invests over RD$94 million to modernize electric grid in Bahoruco, Dominican Republic Edesur will invest over RD$94 million to modernise the electric grid in Bahoruco’s Neiba area, adding 18.75 km of lines and serving 1,623 new customers, part of a programme to cut outages and improve service. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edesur-invests-over-rd94-million-to-modernize-electric-grid-in-bahoruco-dominican-republic ### 2026-07-20: Landslide in Mexico and power outages in Colombia disrupt communities Heavy rains trigger a deadly landslide in Mexico's Temascaltepec and cause power outages across Colombia, prompting emergency evacuations and utility response. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/landslide-in-mexico-and-power-outages-in-colombia-disrupt-communities ### 2026-07-20: Chile's southern communities grapple with weeks of power outages and road floods Chile's southern regions face prolonged power cuts, a flooded bridge closing route N‑309, and new calls to tie electricity tariff hikes to service continuity, while health agencies provide mental‑health support 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/power-outages-disrupt-communities-in-chile-and-mexico ### 2026-07-18: Salto Grande plant stayed online during 12‑hour Concordia outage Salto Grande’s transmission system stayed operational during a storm that caused a 12‑hour blackout in Concordia, with service restored by mid‑afternoon. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/power-outages-and-cable-explosion-disrupt-residents-in-argentina-and-chile ### 2026-07-17: Widespread Power Outages Sweep Communities Across Latin America Storms and grid failures have plunged thousands of residents in Mexico, Cuba, Argentina and Chile into darkness, sparking protests and prompting emergency utility deployments. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/power-outages-hit-communities-in-mexico-and-chile ### 2026-07-14: Mexico's PAN pushes bill for climate-linked electricity subsidies Mexico's PAN proposes climate‑linked electricity subsidies to lower bills for households in hot regions like Quintana Roo. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-pan-pushes-bill-for-climate-linked-electricity-subsidies ### 2026-07-13: EDENORTE powers 207 homes in Restauración and removes 1,500 lb of waste from Puerto Plata beach EDENORTE finished a RD$14.7 million electricity rollout to 207 homes in Cruz de Cabrera, Dajabón, and led a Puerto Plata beach cleanup that removed about 1,500 lb of waste. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edenorte-powers-207-homes-in-restauracin-and-removes-1500-lb-of-waste-from-puerto-plata-beach ### 2026-07-12: Mexico's Ricardo Madrid Pérez proposes special electricity tariffs for heat‑stricken homes Mexican deputy Ricardo Madrid Pérez proposes a law amendment to create special electricity tariffs for households in extreme‑heat areas, aiming to ease costs for essential cooling and preservation. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-ricardo-madrid-prez-proposes-special-electricity-tariffs-for-heatstricken-homes ### 2026-07-11: Dominican ETED to maintain Barahona transmission line ETED will conduct preventive maintenance on the 69 kV Barahona transmission line on July 11, causing temporary outages in Barahona and nearby areas. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-eted-to-maintain-barahona-transmission-line ### 2026-07-10: Dominican Republic utilities upgrade electric distribution, schedule short outages Dominican utilities Edeeste and Edesur are upgrading distribution networks in La Caleta and at the UASD substation, scheduling short outages to improve reliability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-utilities-upgrade-electric-distribution-schedule-short-outages ### 2026-07-08: Dominican Republic's ETED unveils largest Caribbean storage project and $2.1 bn Hostos inter‑island link Dominican transmission firm ETED announced July maintenance outages, a 600 MW energy‑storage contract and progress on the $2.1 bn Hostos 700 MW HVDC link to Puerto Rico, which will add new generation, create 5, 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-grid-operator-eted-launches-transmission-upgrades-and-600-mw-storage-contract ### 2026-07-06: ETED Restores Power to Jimaní After Transmission Tower Collapse ETED restored electricity to Jimaní within 48 hours after two transmission towers collapsed, with executive oversight and plans for permanent repairs. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-transmission-company-restores-power-to-jiman-after-tower-collapse ### 2026-07-05: Edesur invests RD$421.4 million to modernize Azua electric grid Edesur Dominicana will spend RD$421.4 million to build 58 km of medium‑voltage lines, install 2,441 poles, 466 transformers and 2,138 LED lights, benefiting about 8,000 users in Azua. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edesur-invests-rd4214-million-to-modernize-azua-electric-grid ### 2026-07-04: Mexico's Mocorito and Matamoros hit by utility disruptions amid cable theft and illegal power hookups Cable theft stalls water service in Mocorito, while illegal power hookups cause blackouts in Matamoros, highlighting utility challenges in Mexico. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-mocorito-and-matamoros-hit-by-utility-disruptions-amid-cable-theft-and-illegal-power-hookups ### 2026-07-03: EDEEste upgrades power supply for Central American Games village in Santo Domingo EDEEste is constructing two new power circuits in Santo Domingo Este, including a dedicated line for the Central American Games athletes' village, with scheduled outages and completion set for 10 July. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-upgrades-power-supply-for-central-american-games-village-in-santo-domingo ### 2026-06-29: EDEESTE advances major electric grid upgrades in Higüey, Dominican Republic EDEESTE is investing over RD$1,060 million in Higüey to modernise the grid, add voltage regulators, new circuits and medium‑voltage lines, aiming for better service and reliability. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-advances-major-electric-grid-upgrades-in-higey-dominican-republic ### 2026-06-26: Mexico power outages undermine government no‑blackout promises Mexico’s power outages persist despite repeated government promises of no blackouts, with 27 states affected by June 2026 and criticism over insufficient transmission investment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-power-outages-undermine-government-noblackout-promises ### 2026-06-25: Mexico faces widespread power outages amid heatwave Rolling blackouts hit 20 Mexican states amid extreme heat, prompting protests in Tabasco and Mexico City as the CFE faces criticism over aging infrastructure. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/widespread-power-outages-and-protests-grip-mexican-states-amid-heat-wave ### 2026-06-24: Dominican Republic electricity sector launches renewable contracts amid criticism of blackout claims Dominican electricity leaders launch 325 MW renewable contracts with battery backup while facing political criticism over claims that there are no blackouts, only system overloads. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-cued-awards-325-mw-renewable-capacity-with-battery-backup ### 2026-06-24: Dominican Communities Clash with EDEESTE Over Transformers and Receive New Units Residents in Sabana Grande de Boyá blocked an EDEESTE truck over transformer removal, while in El Pantano new transformers were installed to serve 900 families, highlighting electricity supply tensions in the D 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-communities-clash-with-edeeste-over-transformers-and-receive-new-units ### 2026-06-23: Mexico and Latin America grapple with widespread power outages amid heat wave and scheduled cuts Power outages across Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Argentina, Colombia and Honduras – from heat‑driven blackouts and business impacts in Veracruz to scheduled cuts affecting thousands – highlight strained grids, C 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-schedules-fourhour-blackout-in-santo-domingo-este-and-holds-energyefficiency-workshop-for-jo ### 2026-06-18: Power outage scheduled in southern Dominican Republic due to substation work ETED will cut electricity in several southern Dominican provinces on June 19 for high‑voltage tests at the Cruce de Cabral II substation, affecting municipalities and local facilities. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-power-grid-upgrades-cause-outages-and-increase-capacity ### 2026-06-18: EDENORTE upgrades electric grid in Loma de La Piña, Samaná with $4.7M investment EDENORTE invested RD$4.7 M to modernize Loma de La Piña’s electric grid in Samaná, adding transformers, poles and 1,600 m of cable, improving service for 89 customers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edenorte-upgrades-electric-grid-in-loma-de-la-pia-saman-with-47m-investment ### 2026-06-10: EDEESTE adds 12 power transformers to boost Dominican Republic grid EDEESTE will receive 12 new power transformers—including nine 50 MVA units from China in August—boosting capacity and reliability of the Dominican Republic’s eastern electric grid, with total investment over RD 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-adds-12-power-transformers-to-boost-dominican-republic-grid ### 2026-06-10: Edesur Dominicana activates contingency plan for 2026 cyclone season Edesur Dominicana has activated its 2026 cyclone season contingency plan, detailing preventive, operational and recovery steps to protect the power grid and quickly restore service, especially for critical and 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edesur-dominicana-activates-contingency-plan-for-2026-cyclone-season ### 2026-06-08: Dominican Republic electricity firms plan upgrades, causing outages and investing over RD 518 million Edeeste will cut power to over 40 sectors in Santo Domingo Este for scheduled work, while Edesur unveils a RD 518 million program to upgrade 17 substations serving roughly 471,000 customers across the Dominican 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-electricity-firms-plan-upgrades-causing-outages-and-investing-over-rd-518-million ### 2026-05-29: Edeeste activates 50 MVA transformer at Los Minas substation in Santo Domingo Este Edeeste commissioned a 50 MVA transformer at Los Minas 138 kV substation in Santo Domingo Este, raising capacity to 135 MVA and improving service for over 40 sectors, with a brief 4‑hour outage for integration. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-activates-50-mva-transformer-at-los-minas-substation-in-santo-domingo-este ### 2026-05-25: Edeeste builds new La Caleta substation in the Dominican Republic Edeeste is upgrading La Caleta’s electric grid with a new 40 MVA substation and additional circuits, investing RD$181.5 million to improve service for over 84,000 customers by June 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-builds-new-la-caleta-substation-in-the-dominican-republic ### 2026-05-19: Edeeste rolls out $245,000 electric grid upgrade in La Victoria, Dominican Republic Edeeste invests $245K to upgrade La Victoria’s power grid and install 100 new street lights, easing overload and boosting safety. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/edeeste-rolls-out-245000-electric-grid-upgrade-in-la-victoria-dominican-republic ### 2026-04-20: Dominican utility to open 138/69 kV transformer in Nagua to bolster grid reliability ETED will open the 138/69 kV autotransformer at Nagua on April 20, 2026, from 10:00 to 15:00 to improve grid reliability. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-utility-to-open-13869-kv-transformer-in-nagua-to-bolster-grid-reliability --- Cite as: Latin America power outages and grid upgrades. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-strengthens-electricity-grid-with-transformer-commissioning-and-upgrades