WILLEMSTAD - On Tuesday, November 14, around 2:00 PM, a blackout occurred. From preliminary investigation, there were indications that one of the main cables transporting electricity between the substations at Nijlweg and Weis experienced a short circuit. However, a more in-depth investigation revealed that the power protection system failed to handle the impact of a short circuit that occurred at the switchgear installation at the Mundu Nobo plant. This disconnected the main cables between the substations at Nijlweg and Weis. Consequently, there was an imbalance in the voltage and frequency levels of the power grid. During the 6 minutes following the short circuit, the diesel plants and windmills gradually shut down, creating even more imbalance, ultimately resulting in a blackout. Despite various challenges in restarting stable production, Aqualectra managed to restore the power situation on the entire island of Curaçao around 10:45 PM.
Following the blackout that occurred on June 15, 2023, Aqualectra initiated two extensive investigations. One is related to the power protection system, and the other is to conduct a risk analysis on the power grid. The power protection system is designed to prevent a short circuit in the grid from affecting the entire power system. Both investigations started in late June with the goal of being completed by December 2023. Pending the results, certain actions have been taken based on preliminary recommendations from the international company conducting both investigations along with Aqualectra. The preliminary changes have been made diligently to try to avoid blackouts where possible. However, they are preliminary, meaning that only the final results of the investigations, scheduled to conclude in December 2023, will provide a more comprehensive view of the actions needed to truly optimize the functioning of the power protection system.
It is important to emphasize that a lack of capacity is not what caused the blackout. In recent months, Aqualectra has completed overdue maintenance work to ensure sufficient production capacity to meet community demand. It was reported a few weeks ago that assistance from external professionals was sought to complete all pending maintenance work. Some changes have also been made to begin optimizing the protection system according to preliminary recommendations. While the investigations are ongoing, more factors that may have contributed to the situation and the necessary adjustments to the switchgear installation that experienced the short circuit at Mundu Nobo may be identified.
Although a blackout on an island is something that can happen, Aqualectra is aware that a blackout causes inconvenience. Aqualectra takes this opportunity to once again apologize for the inconvenience the situation caused. They continue to work on the technical security of Aqualectra and will keep the community informed as the work progresses.