On Friday morning, Biel experienced a significant power outage lasting several hours, affecting approximately 25,000 households and numerous businesses. The incident occurred at 6:42 AM due to a technical defect at the Mett substation.
Details of the Major Power Outage in Biel
Residents and companies reported that the outage disrupted normal operations as Alertswiss, the federal warning app, alerted users about potential issues with telecommunications and data services. Fortunately, there was no threat to public safety.
Timeline of Events
- 6:42 AM: Power goes out across Biel.
- 7:00 AM: Alertswiss issues a warning about the outage.
- 8:00 AM: The situation appears to be improving.
- 8:30 AM: Main areas of Biel regain power.
- 9:00 AM: Energy Service Biel confirms restoration efforts.
By 8:30 AM, most areas had their power restored, although Bözingenfeld experienced delays. The outages were caused by a malfunction in a safety device within the Mett substation, which coincided with a notable smoke incident that looked like a fire.
Response and Impact
Emergency services, including fire and ambulance teams, responded promptly. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Martin Kamber, director of Energy Service Biel, explained that all Biel substations are interconnected, leading to widespread activation of safety mechanisms, with only the Brüel substation remaining operational.
- Key Locations Affected:
- Biel city
- Mett substation
- Bözingenfeld
- Secondary Effects:
- Disruptions in industrial operations
- Challenges for businesses starting production
Kamber indicated that the timing of the outage was unfortunate, coinciding with many people commuting to work. Several manufacturers faced production halts, and some incurred damages due to the lack of backup power systems.
Historical Context of Power Outages
While such large-scale outages are rare, a similar event occurred three years prior due to a transformer failure. The root cause of the recent incident remains under investigation.
Overall, this significant power outage in Biel serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in the electricity supply and the importance of prompt response measures in emergencies.
