Zapped rat causes Stockholm power outage


CSA Z463 Electrical Maintenance -

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
The electrocution of a fat rat in an electric station April 6 caused a three-hour power outage in Stockholm's central train station, halting elevators and escalators.

The early morning outage led to some delays in train traffic, said Jesper Ekenlund, a spokesman for power company Fortum. Nearby hotels and shops also were affected, he said.

"The rat had sneaked into a secondary substation and came into contact with some parts that caused it to short circuit," he said.

"It must have been really big because there's a certain distance between the parts it touched."

Ekenlund said Fortum will now have to decontaminate the area where the rat met its fate.

Related News

National Grid expands dynamic line ratings to unlock existing overhead T&D capacity

Dynamic Line Rating Rollout increases real-time transmission capacity on overhead lines with grid-enhancing sensors and…
View more

Bitcoin consumes 'More electricity than Argentina' - Cambridge

Bitcoin energy consumption is driven by mining electricity demand, with TWh-scale power use, carbon footprint…
View more

ERCOT Issues RFP to Procure Capacity to Alleviate Winter Concerns

ERCOT Winter Capacity RFP seeks up to 3,000 MW through generation and demand response to…
View more

Trump unveils landmark rewrite of NEPA rules

Trump NEPA Overhaul streamlines environmental reviews, tightening 'reasonably foreseeable' effects, curbing cumulative impacts, codifying CEQ…
View more

EPA Policy to limit telework emerges during pandemic

EPA Telework Policy restricts remote work, balancing work-from-home guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic with flexible…
View more

Hydro-Quebec adopts a corporate structure designed to optimize the energy transition

Hydro-Québec Unified Corporate Structure advances the energy transition through integrated planning, strategy, infrastructure delivery, and…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified