Four-Hour Power Outage Hits Sant Martí District, Affecting 400 Properties
Barcelona, January 17 – Approximately 400 homes and businesses in a block of Barcelona’s Sant Martí district were left without electricity for about four hours this Saturday morning. The power cut, which affected an area between Paseo del Taulat and Paseo de García Faria, surprised both residents and merchants, who reported no prior knowledge of the interruption.
Endesa Cites Maintenance, Residents Claim Lack of Notice
Sources from Endesa explained that the service interruption was due to maintenance operations aimed at improving the electricity supply in the area, specifically work on a transformation center. In total, 432 customers were affected. The work began before nine in the morning and, although it was scheduled to conclude at 12:00 PM, electricity was not restored until 12:48 PM.
The company asserts that notice was given in accordance with current regulations, through the placement of “informative posters in the street” within the affected area. However, the version from residents is quite different. Several consulted residents denied having any prior knowledge of the cut, stating, “It’s impossible, nobody saw them.” The general sentiment was that if posters existed, they were not placed in visible locations such as building entrances or portals. This issue has fueled discontent regarding the communication of scheduled outages and the perception that these warnings do not always reach effectively.
Impact on Daily Life and Local Businesses
The lack of electricity also had consequences for the economic activity of the neighborhood. A bakery in the same block was forced to close its doors for the morning, while some residents had to adapt their plans. “I had planned to telework and at the last minute, I had to go to the office,” explained one resident. The same individual recounted that his son, who had to study for an exam, did so “with the scarce natural light of today.”
The incident occurred on a particularly gray morning in Barcelona, with completely overcast skies and forecasts of rain that had already intensely affected Tarragona and were moving towards the Catalan capital.
Wider Concerns Regarding Communication and Service
This incident highlights ongoing concerns among Barcelona residents regarding the communication and management of utility services. The disconnect between Endesa’s claims of proper notification and the residents’ experience of being uninformed points to a need for improved communication strategies. Effective communication is crucial for minimizing disruption and ensuring public trust, especially when essential services like electricity are affected.
The local authorities and utility providers are continuously urged to review and enhance their procedures for informing the public about planned maintenance, ensuring that all affected parties receive timely and clear notifications. This would allow residents and businesses to better prepare for such interruptions, mitigating the negative impacts on their daily routines and operations.
This event is part of a broader pattern of discussions in Barcelona concerning urban infrastructure and public services, with residents frequently voicing their expectations for more transparent and efficient management from service providers.
