E-Redes and REN activate crisis plans as storm Charles cuts power in Portugal

Grid operators activate crisis plans

E-Redes, which runs the medium and low voltage network, activated its Operational Crisis Plan at 18:00 on 9 November after a meeting of its crisis cabinet, citing forecasts of worsening weather. The company reinforced dispatch centers, internal operational teams, outside service providers and its customer contact center. It also cancelled all scheduled network maintenance and moved generators and mobile power stations into its supply chain. Helicopters and drones are on standby to assess damage, and redundant radio and satellite communications have been secured. REN, which manages the high and very high voltage transmission grid, separately activated its emergency and crisis plan, known as PASEC, during 10 November. REN said it had mobilized teams and equipment in advance and coordinated with Spain's Red Eléctrica and Enagás to keep supply secure.

Outages and repairs

Overnight into the morning of 10 November, faults on medium and low voltage lines left about 2,000 customers without power, with the heaviest concentration in southern mainland Portugal. E-Redes said the count had risen to about 4,000 customers by 17:00 on 10 November. The company described the morning figure as normal for this type of weather. Repair work is under way, and E-Redes said it will keep monitoring conditions and adjust its resources to the situation.

10 November, morning2,000

10 November, 17:004,000

10 November, morning

2000 customers

10 November, 17:00

4000 customers

Data from the article text

“E-REDES teams are monitoring developments and intervening in the reported incidents, with repair work proceeding normally.”

Forecast winds and waves

The Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) expects periods of heavy rain or showers and strong wind, with gusts that could reach 120 km/h, and possibly above 150 km/h if a sting jet forms, a fast-descending air current inside an extratropical depression. Forecasts also cite waves of up to six metres. IPMA says storm Charles should move east, passing north of Madeira in the early hours of 11 November before heading toward mainland Portugal. The track and intensity remain highly uncertain, with the centre most likely to pass between Sines and Cabo Carvoeiro and gusts of 100 to 120 km/h on the southern side. IPMA stresses that depression Bruna, which should stay almost stationary northwest of the Iberian Peninsula until Friday, 13 November, is a separate system. Reports from 10 November said Bruna had already brought fallen trees, flooding and mass movements to mainland Portugal, though none of these cases were described as serious.

Schools, alerts and transport

The government decided to close schools and non-essential public services in all districts, and authorities said bridge closures and air traffic restrictions were under consideration. The alert level for mainland Portugal runs from 00:00 to 23:59 on 11 November. Red warnings, the highest level, cover mainland Portugal for 11 November and Madeira from the night of 10 November, and schools on the archipelago are to close during the morning. Authorities expect Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja and Faro to be the regions hit hardest.