Articles & Insights
7 min read
How Storms, War, and Surging Demand Are Forcing a Rethink of the World’s Power Grids
In the early hours of October 25, 2023, residents of Acapulco watched Hurricane Otis gather strength offshore. Forecasts had suggested a manageable storm. Instead, within less than 12 hours, Otis intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 5, with gusts exceeding 165 miles per hour. When it struck Mexico’s Pacific coast, howling winds tore through homes, hospitals, and businesses — and left the city’s electrical infrastructure in tatters.