On Friday, all electricity in Guadeloupe, a French territory, was disrupted when striking employees shut down engines at the primary EDF power station. Police intervened to secure the location, and the local prefect announced that certain workers would be mandated to restore regular electrical service to the archipelago.
Power Cut in Guadeloupe, France Blamed on Striking Workers
FRANCE
Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, experienced a complete power outage on Friday due to striking workers. According to the local prefecture, workers forcibly entered the control room at Jarry’s thermal power station and initiated an emergency shutdown of all machinery. The prefecture anticipates restoring electricity to the 230,000 affected households by 3:00 PM (1900 GMT).
Police have secured the site, and the prefect has mandated staff to expedite the power station’s return to operational status. In response, Energy Minister Olga Givernet announced that the French government is coordinating efforts with various services and operators to restore electricity as quickly as possible.
The ongoing strike, which began on September 15, stems from a pay dispute between EDF utility and the CGT union’s energy sector. This labor conflict has severely disrupted daily life in Jarry, Guadeloupe’s economic hub, impacting nearly 380,000 residents.
The power shortages have forced some businesses to shut down, according to an AFP correspondent, and have significantly strained emergency services. Leon Prosper Jimmy, an ambulance driver in Pointe-a-Pitre, reported difficulties in patient transport due to inoperative elevators, often requiring additional support from the fire brigade or other services. “We manage as best we can,” he remarked.
The CHUG hospital center has activated its backup generators, ensuring that critical operations can continue for up to 72 hours.
Meanwhile, residents near the capital have begun stockpiling bottled water as the power outage starts to affect the water supply, leading to empty shelves in many stores.
Guadeloupe primarily meets its electricity demands locally, with 70% of its power generated thermally from fuel oil or wood pellets, without relying on external power agreements.
