Spate of raging wildfires taxing southern Greece’s power grid

Southern Greece’s electricity grid was being sorely tested this week due to several wildfires that erupted close to nearing high-voltage and extra high-voltage lines.

According to reports, decreases in voltage were recorded in several parts of the greater Athens-Piraeus area in the early afternoon, something easily discerned by lights and televisions flickering for a few seconds.

Specifically, wildfires were raging at the Dervenochoria site, northwest of Athens proper and west of Mt. Parnitha, as well as near the Corinth Gulf resort town of Loutraki, sites where high-voltage lines pass.

Nevertheless, sources close to the independent power transmission operator (ADMIE) appeared reassuring that there was no risk of a widespread power blackout with current conditions, although the wildfire factor was still very worrying.

Several sites southeast of Athens were still without power, as a wildfire on Monday blazed for roughly 12 kilometers over rugged shrub and brushland, affecting coastal Saronida, Anavyssos and Palea Fokea, along with a bevy of inland settlements.