Copel has completed the full restoration of the electrical grid in Maringá after an F2 tornado, restoring power to 88,000 customers with a monumental logistical effort.
Copel announced on Monday (9) the definitive completion of the reconstruction works on the electrical infrastructure in Maringá. The measure ends the critical repair cycle triggered by the F2 tornado that struck the city on November 2, leaving a trail of destruction that isolated tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
The phenomenon, which recorded winds exceeding 200 km/h, posed an unprecedented challenge for the distributor. With the restoration of the last consumer unit—located in an industrial condominium in Zone 5—Copel concludes an emergency operation that required complex logistics and the coordination of multiple work fronts across Paraná.
Reconstruction logistics and structural challenges
To reverse the extensive damage, the operation deployed a robust contingent of 1,100 professionals, including technicians and electricians, drawn from various regions of the state. The magnitude of the disaster can be measured by the reconstruction figures: 543 poles were replaced, 19 kilometers of medium and low voltage networks were reinstated, and 36 transformers were recovered.
The complexity of the industrial area in Zone 5 was the most emblematic point of the operation. The total destruction of 22 poles on site forced teams to work in stages, first waiting for debris clearance before finally completing the assembly and energization of the sector.
Initially, we replaced 17 poles. After the cleanup and removal of debris, our team had the necessary safety to continue the service by replacing five more poles and enabling the section to be energized. It was a huge emotion to finish this mega-operation, after a tornado, in a short period of time.
Integrated Effort and Emergency Support
The success in the rapid recovery can largely be attributed to institutional coordination. Copel maintained constant alignment with the Paraná State Government, the City of Maringá, the Fire Department, and Civil Defense. This networked effort was essential for removing trees and debris that blocked the teams’ access to critical areas.
Copel’s Director of Operations and Maintenance, Gustavo Theodor, emphasized that the engagement of all levels was the key factor that allowed the third‑largest city in Paraná to return to normalcy. Additionally, the crisis committee assembled by the company ensured full transparency, with briefings sent to municipal authorities three times a day throughout the intervention period.
With the network fully restored, Copel is now concluding the emergency mobilization phase. The swift response, which restored power to 60% of affected residents within the first 48 hours, demonstrates the resilience of the electrical infrastructure against extreme weather events and leaves the system ready for continuous monitoring in the coming weeks.