Quintana Roo, Mexico — The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reported a significant interruption in the electricity supply on Wednesday, impacting the Cancun and Riviera Maya region. The outage was attributed to an incident on the 230 KV transmission line extending from Valladolid to Nizuc, affecting approximately 277,000 users.
The blackout, which began around 5:00 p.m. local time, caused widespread disruption across Quintana Roo, including the Hotel Zone, Central Region, Cumbres, Prado Norte, and Puerto Morelos. Residents and tourists took to social media to voice their frustrations, reporting problems such as malfunctioning traffic lights, disrupted air conditioning systems, and interrupted services in hotels and tourist facilities.
Motorists experienced severe traffic congestion due to non-operational traffic lights on major thoroughfares, including Av. Tulum, Av. Bonampak, and Paraíso Maya. This situation resulted in chaotic road conditions, further complicating travel in the bustling tourist area.
Other essential services, including ATMs, shopping malls, and mobile phone networks, were also affected, exacerbating the inconvenience for locals and visitors alike.
The timing of the power outage coincided with high temperatures in Cancun, which reached around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The lack of air conditioning in homes and businesses added to the discomfort of residents, who struggled to cope with the sweltering heat.
The Yucatan Peninsula’s electrical infrastructure is notably fragile, with limited interconnection to the national grid and an imbalance between supply and demand. This vulnerability was highlighted in a report by the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), titled “Mexico and the Electrical Deficits.”
Currently, the region’s installed capacity in operation is 5,693.71 MW, with an additional 847.33 MW either under construction or slated to begin construction soon. Despite these developments, investment in electricity generation infrastructure in the Peninsula has declined significantly during the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Between 2019 and 2024, only $1,347 million was invested, marking a 44.2 percent decrease compared to the government of former President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Moreover, during this period, only 1,386 MW of new electricity generation capacity was authorized, falling short of the 2,402 MW approved during the 2013-2018 period. This reduction in capacity development has further strained the region’s ability to meet its growing energy demands.
In response to the outage, CFE crews have been dispatched to address the issues along the affected transmission line and restore power as quickly as possible. The utility company has assured the public that all necessary resources are being utilized to resolve the situation and minimize disruption.
Local authorities have urged residents and visitors to exercise caution while navigating the affected areas and to report any hazards or emergencies to the appropriate channels. The community’s cooperation and patience are essential as efforts continue to restore normalcy to the region.