The outage occurred due to a transformer failure within the electricity grid and was directly linked to extreme temperatures. The prefecture in the coastal department of Finistere confirmed in an official statement that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
The incident took place around 9:00 pm on Tuesday (1900 GMT) in the commune of Ergue-Gaberic, located near the city of Quimper in the Brittany region. The prefecture further stated that at its peak, up to 106,000 customers of the national power network were affected by the blackout late Tuesday as soaring temperatures pushed France into its hottest day on record.
Emergency response teams from French grid operators RTE and Enedis worked throughout the night to restore power. However, full restoration is not expected until at least the end of Wednesday, with officials confirming that reconnection efforts would continue progressively.
The operator RTE stated that, due to technical constraints, electricity supply could not be fully restored during the day, and reconnections would begin at the earliest by the end of Wednesday.
Finistere remains among 58 French departments placed under the highest red alert for extreme heat. Temperatures ranging between 39 degrees Celsius and 41 degrees Celsius are forecast across a wide zone stretching from Brittany to the Paris region.
Meteorological experts attribute the extreme weather conditions to atmospheric and circulation patterns that trap hot air over regions for extended periods. They further note that such intensity and persistence of heatwaves are being exacerbated by global warming.
The incident underscores the growing strain on critical infrastructure across Europe as climate-driven temperature extremes continue to intensify, raising concerns over grid resilience and public safety during prolonged heat events.
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