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Grid infrastructureColombiaEIR-1569

Transformer fire at subestación Codazzi disrupts power supply

2026Published 29 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectrical
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Energua

What happened

A fire broke out at the subestación Codazzi operated by Energua after an operational failure caused transformer 1, operating at 110 kV, to open and ignite. The incident led to the sudden loss of the transmission line supplying the receiving substations, leaving thousands of residents without electricity in the urban and rural areas of Agustín Codazzi and Becerril municipalities, as well as the populations of Llerasca, Casacará, La Europa and El Desastre in the Cesar department.

Firefighters, operational crews and security personnel attended the site to extinguish the flames and secure the perimeter. Repair and damage inspection work could only begin once the fire was fully extinguished and safety conditions in the substation yard were certified.

Contributing factors

Operational failure of transformer 1 at the subestación Codazzi.

Lessons learned

  1. Ensure rapid isolation procedures for transformers following operational faults to limit fire spread.
  2. Maintain clear communication protocols with affected communities during widespread outages.
  3. Verify substation safety conditions thoroughly before allowing personnel to commence post-incident repairs.

More lessons on worker safety and safe systems of work, emergency response and public communication, maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, from every incident on the register.

Source

elpilon.com.co

Published 2026-09-29. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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