Thousands of residents lost electricity after a major fault struck near the Cassada substation on Wednesday. As a result, homes and businesses across Antigua went dark.

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority, also known as APUA, confirmed the outage shortly after the system collapsed. According to the utility company, the problem started on the Cassada #2 Feeder near the substation.

Consequently, the fault caused a brief shutdown across the island’s power network. Within minutes, residents reported outages in several communities.

Meanwhile, APUA crews moved quickly to identify the problem and begin repairs. The Electricity Business Unit said teams are actively working to restore service safely and efficiently.

In addition, the company expects full restoration within one and a half to two hours. However, officials warned that some areas could take longer depending on system checks.

Drivers also faced challenges during the outage. Several traffic lights stopped working, causing delays on busy roads. Therefore, authorities urged motorists to drive carefully and remain alert at intersections.

Businesses across the island also felt the impact. Some shops paused operations, while restaurants and offices relied on backup generators. At the same time, many residents searched for updates through social media and radio stations.

Despite the disruption, APUA said crews remain focused on restoring stable service as quickly as possible. The company also apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected blackout.

Furthermore, officials thanked residents for their patience while repairs continue. APUA stressed that safety remains a top priority during restoration efforts.

Island-wide outages remain rare in Antigua, so the sudden blackout surprised many residents. Even so, utility workers responded immediately after the system failure occurred.

As restoration continues, customers are encouraged to unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage from possible power surges. Additionally, residents should report any continuing outages once electricity returns to most areas.

For now, many communities remain without electricity while crews complete repairs near the Cassada substation. Nevertheless, APUA says progress continues, and power should return to the island soon.