WILLEMSTAD – Following last week’s island-wide blackout, the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) has confirmed that it has requested a detailed explanation from utility company Aqualectra in order to determine the cause of the outage and assess what corrective measures are being taken.
RAC Director Curt Belfor emphasized that the regulator is approaching the matter with objectivity and with Curaçao’s energy security as the primary focus. “We do this in an impartial manner, based on our own investigation, with the aim of ensuring a reliable electricity supply for Curaçao,” Belfor stated. He added that a full-scale investigation into the blackout has not been ruled out.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, August 27, once again raised concerns about the reliability of the island’s power grid. It follows a series of disruptions, including a major blackout in November 2023, which prompted an international review by experts from Engie/Laborelec. That report, released in February 2024, highlighted the need for adjustments to so-called “protection settings” within the grid’s infrastructure.
According to Belfor, RAC’s role is clear: after any disruption in service, the utility company is given the first opportunity to restore supply. The regulator then requires Aqualectra to explain the cause of the outage and outline the measures being taken to prevent a recurrence.
“We maintain regular consultations with Aqualectra,” Belfor explained. “In doing so, we also monitor how the company is implementing the recommendations from past blackout investigations. This is crucial to strengthening the resilience of our electricity network.”
RAC confirmed that similar steps were taken earlier this year, when the island experienced additional service interruptions in January and February 2025. Each time, the regulator pressed Aqualectra for both the technical explanation and the corrective actions required.
With public frustration mounting over repeated outages, the latest intervention by RAC underscores the growing pressure on Aqualectra to deliver consistent and reliable electricity to Curaçao’s residents and businesses.
