06.01.2026 12:31
Power outages that have been ongoing in Hatay since January 1 have paralyzed daily life. In a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources regarding the issue, it was stated that malfunctions occurred due to overload in the network and that 60 electricity poles were destroyed. The statement indicated that the work would be completed in Antakya and Defne by January 7, and in Samandağ by January 10.
Since January 1st, the ongoing power outages in Hatay have paralyzed daily life in the city affected by the February 6 earthquakes. Moreover, the power cuts have also impacted the public's access to basic needs. Due to the stoppage of systems powered by water generators, many neighborhoods have also experienced water shortages. Citizens are trying to keep warm with blankets and small gas stoves in temperatures that drop to minus 1 degree at night. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has made a statement regarding the issue.
The ministry stated that the outages were caused by excessive load due to seasonal conditions and were disaster-related. In the statement, it was noted that "No issues related to electricity have been experienced in the earthquake housing built by TOKİ and Emlak Konut and in container cities in the region."
"IT CAUSED EXCESSIVE LOADING ON THE NETWORK"
The ministry's statement included the following remarks: "The power outages in our province of Hatay and the evaluations reflected in the public regarding these outages are being closely monitored by our ministry.
In this context, it has become necessary to make the following statement:
In our province of Hatay, sudden drops in temperature, especially at night, have occurred with the new year. This situation, which developed outside of seasonal norms, has increased electricity consumption to record levels on one hand, while on the other hand, it has caused excessive loading on the network in areas where electric heaters are used.
"OVER 200 PERSONNEL WERE DISPATCHED TO HATAY ON JANUARY 1"
While the imbalances in the electricity network brought about failures, over 200 personnel from different provinces were dispatched to our province of Hatay as of January 1, 2026, to intervene in the outages that occurred.
"60 ELECTRIC POLES COLLAPSED"
Initial assessments revealed that 60 electric poles collapsed in our districts of Altınözü and Yayladağı due to storm and snow. Technical teams quickly made the necessary repairs, new poles were erected, and this disaster-related issue in the mentioned districts was resolved.
"WORKS STARTED IMMEDIATELY"
In our districts of Antakya, Defne, and Samandağ, excessive loadings occurred in transformers, and works for new transformer installations and transformer power increases have been initiated immediately.
In the first phase, 6 new transformer installations, 16 transformer power increases, and 2 transformer regional separation works have been completed. 6 new transformer installations, 5 transformer power increases, and 6 transformer regional separation works will also be finalized as soon as possible. In addition to all these, 14 new transformer installations, 8 transformer power upgrades, and 13 transformer regional separations will be carried out within this week.
The fault-repair works carried out in Antakya and Defne districts will be completed on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, while the works in Samandağ district will be completed on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
No issues related to electricity have been experienced in the earthquake housing built by TOKİ and Emlak Konut and in container cities in the region."