After a massive defect, electricity returns to Argentina and Uruguay

Massive disruption was caused by an unexplained defect in the interconction line that connects several countries. America's Voice correspondent Zlatko Hawke reports that power cuts affected families and businesses, as well as underground transportation.

Argentinian authorities are investigating an unprecedented power outage that affected several South American countries Sunday after the generators of a hydropower plant in Paraguay suddenly broke off the grid. As a result, there were power cuts throughout Argentina and Uruguay, as well as parts of Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile.

Speaking at a press conference, the Argentinian Energy Minister said the suspension initially seemed like a routine.

The “at 7:07 a.m. on Sunday occurred a blackout on the electrical system a normal disruption that usually occurs in the Argentina system as well as in any other system. What was unusual and should not happen again is the course of events that followed”.

Power cuts affected Sunday's plans for millions of people in the affected area.

I was going to see a friend but we canceled the meeting because there was no subway, nothing worked. Cutting off brings so much difficulty. Especially today is Fathers' Day. I just spoke to a neighbor and he told me that the boys couldn't come to see him”Says Lucas Acosta, resident of Buenos Aires.

Power cuts also affected businesses that are open on Sundays, such as restaurants and food stores.

When there's energy, fruits and vegetables rot with this humidity faster than usual”Says Marcelo Santos, owner of the Montevideo store in Uruguay.

Energy was restored to parts of Argentina and Uruguay later Sunday, but the problem continues.

“Rryma is not sustainable. We hope that the situation will be fixed”, Says Analylia Moreira, store manager in Montevideo in Uruguay.

Paraguay officials said the break-up started with an error on Argentina's electricity network that brought the break-up of all generators from the regional network Sunday morning.

Argentina President Maurizio Macri said via Twitter that the break was caused by a defect in the coastal transmission system. He promised that the suspension would be thoroughly investigated.

Unprecedented power cuts speak of the vulnerability of national networks to problems that may arise in a local system. /voa