Copel completes electrical grid reconstruction after tornado that left 88,000 homes without power in Maringá

Copel completed the reconstruction of the electricity grid in Maringá, in the northwest of Paraná, after the tornado of category F2 that hit the municipality on November 2. The operation mobilized more than 1,100 professionals from different regions of the state and ensured the restoration of energy for all 88,000 consumer units affected by the weather phenomenon.

The last services carried out in public areas included the recovery of the electrical connections of the municipal schools Oscar Pereira dos Santos, in the Industrial Park, and Silvino Fernandes Dias, in the Cidade Nova Residential Park.

The final stage of the operation also included an industrial condominium located in Zone 5, where 23 consumer units remained without power supply due to damage caused by the winds.

Tornado caused destruction in the electricity grid of Maringá

The intensity of the tornado caused significant damage to the electrical infrastructure of the municipality. Hundreds of poles were knocked down, power cables were broken and transformers were damaged, requiring the complete reconstruction of several sections of the distribution network.

During the work, Copel replaced 543 poles, recovered approximately 19 kilometers of electrical cables and installed 36 new transformers.

The operation took place uninterruptedly, with teams working 24 hours a day to accelerate the normalization of supply.

In the first 48 hours after the tornado, more than 60% of the homes affected had already regained access to electricity. Advancement of services also contributed to other emergency teams intensifying urban clean-up and removal of trees and debris.

More than 1,100 professionals participated in the reconstruction

The recovery of the electricity grid required a task force involving Copel, the City of Maringá, the Government of Paraná, the Fire Department, Defesa Civil and volunteers.

In addition to the replacement of equipment, the professionals had to face difficulties in accessing certain regions, where fallen trees and damaged structures prevented the movement of teams.

According to the Director of Operations and Maintenance of Copel, Gustavo Theodor, the integration between public agencies and the mobilization of workers were fundamental to the completion of the services.

The director pointed out that professionals from different municipalities in Paraná have continuously acted since the occurrence of the tornado. He also thanked the authorities, the emergency teams and the volunteers who assisted in the reconstruction.

Industrial condominium was the last place to receive energy

One of the most complex situations was recorded in an industrial condominium in Zone 5, where the force of the winds knocked down 22 poles and compromised virtually the entire internal electrical system.

Initially, the teams replaced 17 structures. However, the continuity of the work depended on the removal of debris and the release of areas considered unsafe.

After the cleanup of the space, five other poles were installed, allowing the supply to be restored to the 23 consumer units of the condominium.

Copel’s Construction and Maintenance Manager in the Northwest region, Weiler Joslin, explained that the completion of this stage represented an important moment for the professionals involved, considering the complexity of the damage and the effort required to rebuild the infrastructure in a few days.

Joint work accelerated the city's recovery

During the emergency period, Copel participated in the Crisis Management Committee, maintaining permanent contact with the municipal administration and other bodies involved in the recovery of Maringá.

According to the executive manager of the Northwest Field Operations Department, Ricardo Carvalho, the company carried out updates on the progress of the services three times a day, allowing the authorities to follow the evolution of the reconstruction.

The governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior, who was in the affected areas, highlighted the performance of the teams during the emergency. The Mayor Silvio Barros also recognized the importance of state mobilization to accelerate the restoration of energy.

Representatives of the Fire Department and Defesa Civil stressed that the recovery of the electrical system was essential for the resumption of public services, economic activities and health care.

According to Defesa Civil, the tornado presented winds of more than 200 kilometers per hour, causing significant damage in different regions of the municipality.

Energy restored to all affected consumers

With the completion of the last reconnections, Copel reported that 100% of the 88,000 consumer units affected by the tornado had their supply restored.

The operation is considered by the company one of the largest reconstruction actions of the electricity grid in its recent history.

The closure of the works represents an important stage in the recovery of Maringá, allowing residents, companies, schools and essential services to resume their activities after the damage caused by the extreme weather phenomenon.

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