Paris blackout shocks 55,000 homes: Metro lines halted after substation fault
What caused the Paris blackout?, How many homes lost power in Paris?, How long did the Paris power outage last?, Were metro services affected by Paris blackout?, When will electricity be restored in Paris?
On Thursday morning, parts of Paris and the neighboring Hauts-de-Seine region experienced a brief but disruptive power outage, leaving roughly 55,000 households temporarily without electricity, French media reported. The incident caused traffic lights and streetlamps to go dark, resulting in minor disruptions across the city, and a few metro and suburban train services were halted.
Electricity grid operator Enedis confirmed that the blackout, which began at approximately 5:38 AM local time (6:38 AM French time), lasted about five minutes for most residents. Despite the quick restoration of power, a few thousand homes remained without electricity in the aftermath, while repair teams continued to work to restore full service.
The source of the disruption was traced to a technical fault at the RTE substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux, located southwest of Paris. RTE, which manages France’s high-voltage electricity transmission network, stated that the incident affected roughly 170,000 homes initially, but 112,000 of these were reconnected within five minutes. By 6:50 AM (7:50 AM French time), approximately 2,600 homes were still awaiting power restoration. Enedis projected that full recovery would be completed by 8:00 AM (9:00 AM French time).
City residents expressed mixed reactions on social media, with many noting the inconvenience caused by the sudden outage. Commuters faced delays as traffic signals went offline, and a few metro and suburban train lines experienced temporary halts. While the disruption was brief, it highlighted the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to unexpected technical faults.
Enedis and RTE issued formal apologies for the inconvenience caused, assuring the public that investigations into the technical glitch are ongoing. “We regret the disruption this morning and are taking all necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” the grid operator said in a statement.
Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the critical role electricity infrastructure plays in the functioning of modern cities. From powering homes to keeping transport networks and traffic systems operational, even short-lived outages can have cascading effects on daily life. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure stability across Paris and the surrounding regions.
Local authorities advised residents to exercise caution while driving near intersections with non-functioning traffic lights and to report any ongoing power issues to emergency services. Meanwhile, metro and suburban rail services resumed shortly after the blackout, and normal operations were restored across most parts of the city.
As Paris continues to grow and modernize, energy providers emphasize the importance of resilient infrastructure, regular maintenance, and quick response to technical issues to minimize disruption for citizens.
FAQ
Q1: How many homes were affected by the Paris blackout?
A1: Around 55,000 homes were temporarily left without power, with some reports initially stating up to 170,000 homes affected before power restoration.
Q2: What caused the blackout?
A2: A technical fault at the RTE high-voltage substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux caused the outage.
Q3: How long did the power outage last?
A3: For most residents, the blackout lasted about five minutes, though a few thousand homes remained without power for longer.
Q4: Were metro and train services affected?
A4: Yes, several metro and suburban train lines experienced temporary halts due to the outage.
Q5: Has power been fully restored?
A5: By 8:00 AM local time (9:00 AM French time), electricity was expected to be fully restored across all affected areas.