During the passage of Typhoon Hato, power outages occur in many places across Macao, further affecting water supply, telecommunications and internet services. Why did Typhoon Hato cause such a large-scale and hours-long power outage?
 
        At present, 80% of the power supply in Macao is imported from the Mainland. Unlike the underground cable mostly applied in power transmission in Macao, the overhead cable was normally used in the high-voltage power grid in the Mainland. Outdoor power transmission facilities are easily damaged when a typhoon strikes. During the passage of Typhoon Hato, the power supply in Zhuhai was paralyzed first. As the scope of power outage expanded, it affected Macao and resulted in the large-scale power outage across Macao. Although local generators were put into operation afterwards, the overall power load could not meet the demand of the whole city. Power supply was partially resumed and blackout remained in some areas. After a severe natural disaster, power supply will be gradually recovered. The users whose power supply was restored first shall save electricity, so that other users could have power restoration sooner.
 
        When the typhoon passed away, Zhuhai resumed power supply to Macao and the Macao power grid was almost resumed. However, a considerable number of users still suffered power outage for a long time, mainly due to many power facilities damaged by flooding, especially the main switch room of each building. After draining way the water, professional personnel entered the switch room to clean the debris. They inspected and repaired the damaged facilities, such as the insulation, voltage resistance, power source, and communication of the transformers and control switches. The power facilities will resume operation after passing various tests. When a large number of users are affected, it takes time to gradually resume power supply for all users.
 

220千伏輸電通道	220 kV power pipeline
110千伏輸電通道	110 kV power pipeline
變電站	Substation
珠海	Zhuhai
澳門半島	Macau Peninsula
鴨涌河站	Canal dos Patos Substation
澳北站	Macao North Substation
西灣大橋	Sai Van Bridge
嘉樂庇總督大橋	Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge
友誼大橋	Friendship Bridge
氹仔島	Taipa Island
新氹仔站	Nova Taipa Substation
橫琴	Hengqin
琴韻	Qinyun
蓮花站	Lotus Substation
澳門國際機場	Macau International Airport
路環島	Coloane Island
圖例	Legend
高程/米	Elevation/m

變電站	Substation
高壓電網	High-voltage power grid
低壓出線	Low-voltage outlet
接到不同用戶大廈總電掣房	Connecting main switch rooms of different buildings
總電製房	Main switch room