Siberia's Deep Freeze Triggers Power Crisis as Emergency Teams Scramble
A severe cold wave has swept across Siberia, pushing temperatures to record lows and placing heavy demand on Russia's energy grid. In response, Rosseti Sibir has activated emergency measures to maintain power supply in the Omsk Region and beyond.
As of 21 February 2026, freezing conditions have caused temporary power shortages in parts of Siberia, including Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Yakutia. Rural areas have faced rolling blackouts since early February due to surging electricity use. To prevent widespread outages, authorities have increased gas imports and urged residents to cut back on consumption during peak hours.
Rosseti Sibir has stepped up monitoring of its facilities in the Omsk Region, where temperatures have hit extreme lows. The company has stockpiled spare equipment, fuel, and backup generators to keep hospitals, schools, and other critical sites running. A total of 1,286 repair teams, made up of 6,324 workers, are on standby 24/7. Another 3,075 specialised vehicles are ready to deploy at short notice.
Residents are advised to stay indoors where possible and avoid seeking warmth near power lines or substations. If a cable falls, people should keep at least eight metres away and never attempt repairs themselves. For outages or updates, customers can call the 'Bright Line' hotline on 8-800-220-0-220 (or the short number 220). Officials also recommend using alternative heat sources alongside electric heating to reduce strain on the grid.
The emergency response includes round-the-clock crews, backup power supplies, and public safety warnings. While repairs and imports aim to stabilise the grid, residents are being asked to conserve energy and follow precautions. The measures will remain in place until temperatures rise and demand returns to normal levels.
