WHAT CAUSES POWER CUTS?

A series of unfortunate events can plunge our homes into total darkness

- WORDS SCOTT DUTFIELD

Whether it's during a pivotal movie moment or as you're just about to hit submit on your essay, power cuts seem to happen during the most inopportune moments. However, with 91 per cent of the world's population collectively using around 29,400 terawatt-hours annually - one terawatt-hour is equal to one trillion watt-hours - there are bound to be some mishaps. According to the US Energy Information Administration, Americans experienced an average of around five-and-a-half hours of electricity interruptions in 2022. These disruptions can be down to all manner of causes, from simple supply issues to natural disasters.