Massive Power Outage on Sakhalin Following Mysterious Explosion at CHP
On the morning of October 28, a large-scale energy crisis erupted unexpectedly on Russia’s Sakhalin Island, affecting over 100,000 residents in the region.
According to local media reports, the incident was caused by a sudden failure at one of the thermal power plants, resulting in a powerful explosion and complete loss of electricity in several key settlements, including Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Korsakov, Dolinsk, Kholmsk, Vuglegorsk, Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Makarov, and Poronaysk.
The emergency occurred around 7:45 AM local time, which is 23:45 Kyiv time.
Witnesses described witnessing a bright flash before the blackout.
Energy officials stated that a protective mechanism was triggered, causing the Sakhalin energy system to split into northern and southern sections, complicating stable power supply.
Currently, the South Sakhalin TPP-1 is operating in minimal load mode, providing power only to its own needs, while the isolated Sakhalin GRES-2 continues to supply electricity to the northern districts.
Sakhalin governor Valery Limarenko assured that all generation facilities are functioning properly and that specialists are inspecting equipment to determine the cause of the failure.
In the coming hours, plans are underway to reconnect the South Sakhalin TPP-1 generators to the main grid, but several microdistricts, including Dallye, Poronaysk, Makarov, Vuglegorsk, Kholmsk, Tomari, and Korsakov, remain without electricity.
This incident has raised alarm among energy authorities that are now focusing on restoring stable electricity supply across the island.