[REVISION HISTORY]

Latvia storm-related power grid disruption

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-26 17:32 UTC → 2026-08-27 05:18 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A severe summer storm in Latvia, featuring wind speeds exceeding 30 meters per second, caused extensive damage to the electrical infrastructure, affecting nearly 50 transmission lines spanning over 1,500 kilometers. Initially, the transmission system operator, Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST), restored voltage to all more than 40 transmission substations after a peak disruption that left approximately 277,000 customers without electricity. While the high-voltage network was stabilized, distribution operator Sadales tīkls (ST) continued efforts to repair medium and low-voltage lines. By late ~~August, the number~~ August 2026, electricity had been restored to approximately 98.5% of affected ~~households had decreased significantly.~~ customers. However, as of Wednesday evening, August 26, roughly 8,500 households—about 3% of those impacted—remained without power, with significant disruptions concentrated in the Aizkraukle, Bauska, and Jēkabpils regions. To accelerate recovery, ST deployed over 200 crews, including personnel redirected from the Kurzeme region and assistance from the Estonian distribution system operator, Elektrilevi. The company utilized drones to identify damaged infrastructure and ~~expected~~ expects full power restoration to all remaining customers by Friday, August 28. The storm also caused significant environmental and economic consequences. Latvijas Valsts meži (LVM) estimates that over 100,000 cubic meters of timber could be damaged in state forests, with cleanup potentially taking four months. Local businesses, such as the producer MārLapiņi, reported halting production due to outages, while the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) received thousands of emergency calls regarding fallen trees and fires.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.