Transformer fire at Codazzi substation disrupts power supply

What happened

A fire broke out at the Codazzi substation 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 Codazzi substation.

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.

Source

elpilon.com.co