Power outages, beyond being a mere technical disruption, can profoundly impact daily life, the economy, public health, and people’s mental well-being. This phenomenon, experienced in Iran and many other countries, has had widespread and even critical consequences. This report examines the effects of power outages across various dimensions using real examples from Iran and around the world. It also proposes solutions to address this issue while discussing the challenges in implementing these solutions and the necessity for long-term planning to manage the crisis.

In the summer of 2021, frequent power outages in Iran placed millions of people in difficult situations. Families in tropical regions such as Khuzestan endured unbearable temperatures of 50°C without any cooling systems. Reports indicated the spoilage of over 20,000 tons of food due to refrigerator failures. Moreover, power outages led to the cancellation of important family events, including weddings in some regions. This phenomenon is not limited to Iran; in 2012, the largest power outage in the world in India affected more than 600 million people and disrupted the country’s transportation system. People endured hours without air conditioning in extreme heat, and hospitals faced critical conditions.

The financial losses caused by power outages are also shocking. According to the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, during the summer of 2021, more than 40% of small businesses, especially bakeries and food stores, experienced temporary or permanent closures. Financial losses in industries were estimated to exceed 6 trillion tomans. Venezuela is another example of the devastating economic effects of power outages. In 2019, a massive blackout lasting five days caused approximately $1 billion in damages, destroying agricultural products, halting banking operations, and paralyzing the transportation network.

In healthcare, power outages can mean the difference between life and death. In Khuzestan hospitals, the failure of oxygen machines due to power cuts endangered the lives of patients. A similar situation occurred in New York City in 2003 when hospital emergency generators failed after a few hours, halting medical services for patients. These problems are even more severe in countries with weaker infrastructure.

The psychological and social effects of power outages are also noteworthy. On hot summer nights in Ahvaz and other southern cities of Iran, power outages exacerbated public dissatisfaction and heightened social tensions. Reports indicated street protests and public unrest in some areas. In countries like Nigeria, where frequent power outages are a norm, social security has been severely affected by total darkness during nighttime hours, leading to an increase in nighttime crimes.

Education, as one of the pillars of sustainable development, has also suffered from power outages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when online education replaced in-person classes, power outages in provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan deprived more than 30% of students of access to online lessons. Similar issues have been observed in disadvantaged regions of the Philippines, where students had to study on the streets under public lights, exposing them to serious physical and mental harm.

The causes of power outages vary across countries but can generally be attributed to weak electricity infrastructure, increased consumption during peak hours, reduced hydropower production due to drought, and mismanagement of energy resource distribution. In Iran, outdated infrastructure and excessive reliance on thermal power plants have left the electricity grid incapable of handling increased demand or natural crises.

Strengthening electricity infrastructure requires significant investment and the modernization of aging networks. A country like Germany has managed to minimize outages by investing in its power grid renovation. Energy consumption management must be addressed through public awareness campaigns and encouraging people to use energy-efficient appliances and adjust their consumption patterns, especially during peak hours. In some countries, such as India, subsidies for installing solar systems in rural areas have reduced dependence on the national grid. However, implementing these solutions faces challenges such as high costs, the time-consuming nature of public awareness efforts, and technical barriers in renewable energy development.

Ultimately, power outages are a global issue that threatens daily life, the economy, public health, and education. Experiences in Iran and other countries demonstrate that without proper planning and investment in energy infrastructure, these crises will worsen. Governments must shift toward sustainable energy use, energy management, and the adoption of modern technologies in electricity production and distribution. A sustainable future depends on timely action and scientifically-informed planning to address this global challenge.