Facing the worst heatwave since 1970 with temperatures ranging between 30 and 40°C for two weeks, i.e. up to about 100°F, Buenos Aires (Argentina) suffers from blackouts caused by the consumption peak due to air conditioners running at full speed. On 22 December 2013, the Argentine power grid set a new record for electricity consumption level at 20,605 MW. To face the peak demand, neighboring Uruguay has exported up to 42 GWh between 12 December and 29 December 2013 to provide relief for Argentina’s power shortage.
The electricity distributors operating in Buenos Aires, Edenor and Edesur, rely on government money to stay in business as their customer prices are set by Ente Nacional Regulador de la Electricidad (ENRE) since 2002, the organisation that regulates Argentina's electricity sector and sets its tariffs. Distributors are blaming the government of not having invested enough in power grid infrastructure over the last 20 years resulting in distribution networks in poor condition.