MARIGOT:--- The residents of Saint-Martin have been enduring frequent electricity outages, a pressing issue addressed in a recent press conference held by EDF Archipel Guadeloupe on June 13, 2025. These rolling blackouts, known locally as “délestages,” have disrupted daily life and highlighted the growing challenges within the island’s energy infrastructure. Here, we take a closer look at the root causes, the impact felt by residents, and the proposed strategies to bring stability to Saint-Martin’s electricity system.
Causes of the Electricity Outages
The electricity outages on the island can be traced back to several compounding issues:
1. Aging Infrastructure: Two of the three production units in Saint-Martin have exceeded their optimal operational lifespan, with one unit no longer able to operate at full capacity. Although a new production facility has been planned, its construction has been delayed due to pending approvals for the Multi-Year Energy Program (MYEP) and challenges in securing suitable land.
2. Technical Failures: Even the newer generation units have faced technical problems since late 2024, further reducing the island’s production capacity. Maintenance work on these machines has also periodically taken key systems offline, exacerbating the problem.
3. Rising Demand: Rapid growth in electricity consumption has placed immense pressure on the already strained system. Although demand started stabilizing at the end of 2024, Saint-Martin’s energy supply has struggled to meet peak periods, often exceeding the available base capacity of 24 MW.
Cumulatively, these factors have left Saint-Martin’s electricity grid in a highly precarious state.
The Impact on Daily Life
Between January 1 and May 31, 2025, Saint-Martin experienced rolling blackouts on 27 different days, with the outages lasting an average of two hours and occasionally extending up to four hours and 40 minutes. On May 9—the most severe day of outages this year—nearly 7,000 customers, representing 41% of the island’s population, were left without power.
The unpredictability of these blackouts has caused significant disruptions for households, businesses, and essential services. For affected residents, the lack of power has meant everything from spoiled food and interruptions in work to difficulties accessing critical medical equipment.
Solutions Proposed by EDF
EDF Archipel Guadeloupe has shared a detailed multi-step plan to address Saint-Martin’s electricity crisis and ensure a reliable power supply for the future. Their strategy spans immediate, medium-term, and long-term measures:
1. Short-Term Fixes:
• The installation of additional generator sets (GE) in 2024 added a temporary boost of 7.5 MW to Saint-Martin’s capacity.
A backup power station with a 20 MW capacity is planned for deployment within the next two years to provide further relief.
2. Mid-Term Solutions:
• A temporary power plant with a capacity of 30 MW and advanced environmental compliance measures is scheduled to come online in approximately 14 months, pending regulatory approval. This facility is expected to operate for seven years while permanent solutions are finalized.
3. Long-Term Goals:
• The centerpiece of EDF’s long-term strategy is the long-awaited replacement of outdated production facilities, as outlined in the pending PPE. This modern plant, coupled with renovations to existing infrastructure, promises a sustainable fix to the island’s ongoing energy challenges.
Toward a Sustainable and Stable Future
EDF emphasized that solving Saint-Martin’s energy crisis goes beyond upgrading infrastructure—it also requires collective efforts to reduce electricity consumption. Programs like the ‘Agir Plus’ initiative provide financial incentives for residents to adopt energy-efficient technologies, such as solar water heaters, high-performance air conditioning units, and better home insulation.
The company is also promoting the use of its ‘E-qui libre’ service, which enables residents to monitor and optimize their daily electricity consumption. Paired with public awareness campaigns, EDF aims to encourage habits like raising air conditioning settings, turning off unused appliances, and shifting energy use to off-peak hours.
Urgent Action Needed
4. With Saint-Martin’s energy infrastructure under strain, the solutions proposed by EDF hold promise—but immediate action and community cooperation will be critical to their success. The ongoing blackouts serve as a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable energy practices, even as authorities work to build a more resilient electricity supply.
5. Residents with questions about ongoing initiatives or energy-saving options are encouraged to contact EDF Archipel Guadeloupe directly for more details.
