On March 12, 2026, nearly 50,000 electricity customers in Ålesund, Norway, experienced power outages from around 9 AM. The energy company Linja reported that 49,534 customers were affected, primarily due to the failure of both main transformers that supply power to the Sunnmøre region. Although the majority of customers reportedly had their electricity restored shortly after, the exact cause of the outage is still under investigation.

Strong winds along the coast were noted as a potential factor contributing to this significant power disruption. Statnett, the national grid operator, described the incident as unusual, highlighting that such widespread outages are not common in the region. The response teams are working diligently to understand the situation and to prevent similar outages in the future.

The incident raises concerns about the resilience of the electrical infrastructure in coastal areas, especially during adverse weather conditions. As climate change increasingly impacts weather patterns, it emphasizes the need for improved preparedness and infrastructure upgrades to withstand extreme weather events, ensuring reliability for all electricity consumers in Ålesund and the surrounding areas.