Addressing Electricity Supply Challenges in Baja California Sur

Recent Outages Prompt Urgent Discussions

In response to a series of power outages that have disrupted daily life and economic activities in Baja California Sur, state officials, including Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, convened a meeting with executives from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). The gathering, held in the Governor's Hall, brought together business leaders, academics, and municipal representatives to address the pressing issues surrounding the electricity supply.

Governor Castro Cosío emphasized the importance of reliable electricity for both families and businesses, stating that the recent outages have had a significant impact on productivity and quality of life. The governor's concerns were echoed by various stakeholders who expressed their frustration over the interruptions that have become increasingly frequent.

Technical Failures and Proposed Solutions

During the meeting, Gerardo Óscar Santiago Ruiz, the head of the CFE's Baja California Distribution Division, explained that the recent outages were primarily due to technical failures. He detailed a specific incident where a malfunction in a bank switch led to the shutdown of five circuits, which ultimately affected the entire substation, resulting in prolonged service interruptions across different sectors.

"The interruptions were mainly caused by technical failures. A problem in a bank switch caused the shutdown of five circuits, affecting the entire substation."

Regarding the restoration of power, Ruiz noted that protocols must be followed and necessary work must be done to restore the functionality of the equipment. He added that the CFE will continue to maintain the infrastructure to reduce the likelihood of future outages.

As a preventive measure, he proposed conducting a tree trimming campaign during the winter, as it was noted that 80 percent of interruptions are related to obstructions in the lines. He also suggested evaluating the construction of new substations and improvements to existing facilities to expand generation and distribution capacity.

These actions would help meet the growing demand for energy and improve response capacity in the event of contingencies, particularly during hurricane season.

In this context, it was clarified that the resumption of the school year and the increase in energy consumption associated with it would not be a factor for new service interruptions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, business leaders and authorities expressed their willingness to collaborate on efforts to reduce the impact on the population and productive sectors. The CFE, for its part, committed to maintaining timely communication regarding incidents and estimated resolution times.