Top weather-driven blackouts in the EMEA region in 2024

In 2024, the EMEA region experienced a series of unprecedented weather-driven blackouts that left millions of homes and businesses in the dark. From powerful extratropical cyclones to devastating hurricanes, these events not only disrupted daily life but also highlighted the vulnerabilities in our power infrastructure. And these events were not limited to the winter season; they occurred throughout the year, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events. Understanding the impact of these blackouts is crucial for preparing and mitigating future risks.

Here are our top weather-driven blackouts in the EMEA region in 2024:

United Kingdom, Ireland and France (December) – Storm Darragh, a powerful extratropical cyclone with gusts of up to 141 km/h, affected Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This storm had a particularly severe impact on Ireland and the United Kingdom, causing widespread power outages across these regions. Approximately 2,3 million properties experienced power disruptions lasting several days, with over 1,874,950 homes and businesses affected in the UK alone. According to Scottish Power and the National Grid, around 11,000 homes in Wales were still without power on December 10. Ireland saw around 395,000 homes, farms, and businesses without power, while more than 50,000 homes in France were left in the dark.

Iberian Peninsula and France (October) – Hurricane Kirk, a powerful Category 4 hurricane that transitioned into a European windstorm, caused extensive power outages across Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany. Over 300,000 households in Portugal were left without power, while severe disruptions to the power grid led to widespread outages in Spain, particularly in Galicia. In France, power outages were reported across several regions, impacting daily life and services. In the south, 64,000 people were affected, with the Pyrenees-Atlantiques region seeing 35,000 households lose electricity, as reported by Enedis to AFP. Germany also experienced power outages in multiple areas, leading to significant disruptions.

Central Europe (September) – Storm Boris brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds, leading to severe flooding and power outages across Austria, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Tens of thousands of people in Austria were left without power, leading to the suspension of train services and closure of major routes. In Poland, power outages affected 17,000 residents, and torrential rain breached a dam, causing evacuations. Romania faced widespread power outages, disrupting services and leaving many stranded. In the Czech Republic, over 260,000 households were affected by power outages, with thousands evacuated from flood-hit towns. The total damage from Storm Boris was estimated at approximately 4,200 million euros. 

United Kingdom (August) – On 23 August, Storm Lilian brought 113 km/h winds to the northwest of England and Wales, causing significant disruption. Downed energy lines led to power cuts for 36,000 people, with tens of thousands of homes affected. The storm caused travel disruptions ahead of the bank holiday weekend, including the closure of three stages at the Leeds Festival and delays at the Creamfields music festival in Cheshire. British Airways cancelled 14 flights at Heathrow, and the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire was temporarily closed. National Rail reported disruptions due to trees blocking lines, and Metrolink tram services in Greater Manchester were suspended on some routes.

Balkan Region (June) – A major power outage hit the Western Balkans during an early summer heat wave, affecting Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, and Albania. The outage lasted several hours and caused widespread disruption. Montenegro's energy minister mentioned that the shutdown was due to a sudden increase in power consumption brought on by high temperatures and the heat itself overloading systems. In Sarajevo, traffic jams ensued as trams stopped and traffic lights failed. Similar gridlock was reported in Split, and thousands of tourists were left stranded in Dubrovnik, with restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, and other establishments shutting their doors. Football fans were unable to watch the European Championship games in Germany due to darkened television screens. Many lost their water supply in Podgorica as pumps stopped working, and air conditioners shut down, leaving people sweltering in the heat. Electricity and Wi-Fi networks went down from around 1 p.m., and power was largely restored by the evening.

South Africa (June) – On Monday, 3 June, a storm complex produced two tornados that hit the residential areas north of Durban, causing widespread devastation. The tornado, classified as a national disaster, left more than 7,000 homes damaged and 1,200 families homeless. The severe weather also destroyed or damaged schools, roads, bridges, community halls, and power lines, causing blackouts. The estimated cost of the damage amounts to over 66,3 million euros for the entire province. In the Eastern Cape province, the storm caused significant rainfall and hailstorms that led to flooding, resulting in widespread power outages and evacuations. Damage in the province was estimated to be near 275 million euros.

Norway (January/February) – Storm Ingunn, that produced record winds of 250 Km/h over the Faroe Islands, made landfall in Norway with an intensity comparable to a category 1 hurricane, pummeling the coast with record winds and 10-meter waves. The storm caused significant structural damage, including ripping off roofs and heightening avalanche risks. Power outages were widespread, affecting tens of thousands of homes across several counties. The storm severely impacted transportation infrastructure, with flights canceled and roads blocked by snow and debris. This event was one of the most powerful storms to hit Norway in over three decades.

United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands (January) – With winds of 137 Km/h recorded on the west coast of Ireland, Storm Isha caused widespread power outages and disruptions across multiple countries. In Northern Ireland, about 53,000 homes were affected at the height of the storm. Across England, Wales, and Scotland, around 30,000 properties lost power, though many were reconnected over the course of the day. In north and mid Wales, 19,500 homes lost power since the start of the storm, and in Ireland, more than 170,000 homes, farms, and businesses lost power. As the storm moved to the Netherlands, strong gusts of wind led to power cuts for at least 68,000 households in Amsterdam, and many of the city’s tram lines and stoplights were not functioning. The outage impacted the city center, west, and southwest neighborhoods. It also hit further, encompassing Sloterdijk and the import train station hub there, as well as nearby cities such as Amstelveen, Hilversum, Nieuw-Vennep, and Zevenaar. Regions further west and north, including Castricum, Ede, and Hoorn, were also affected.

These events underscore the importance of robust power infrastructure and the need for businesses to have contingency plans in place.

As a power management company, we’re here to provide valuable information to ensure that you and your organization are properly safeguarded against power outages that could affect you and your business.

Want to stay ahead of the next blackout?

Don't be caught off guard! Dive into our blackout blog articles to discover expert tips, real-time updates, and innovative solutions to safeguard your power infrastructure. Read now and ensure you're always prepared for whatever nature throws your way.