By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Residents and businesses across Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) should prepare for a series of scheduled power interruptions next week. The National Power and Light Company (CNFL) has announced a comprehensive maintenance plan that will result in temporary electricity cuts in various sectors of San José, Cartago, and Alajuela from Monday, September 29th through Friday, October 3rd, 2025.
These planned outages are a critical component of CNFL’s ongoing efforts to modernize and maintain the integrity of the national power grid. The utility company emphasized that the work involves preventative maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and network improvements designed to enhance service reliability and prevent larger, unplanned blackouts in the future. While disruptive, these measures are essential for ensuring the long-term stability of the electrical supply that powers the country’s most densely populated region.
To delve into the legal and contractual implications of these widespread power outages for both consumers and businesses, TicosLand.com consulted with legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Public service providers have a legal obligation to ensure the continuity and quality of electrical service. While ‘force majeure’ can be invoked for exceptional events, repeated or foreseeable outages may expose providers to liability. We strongly advise affected businesses and individuals to meticulously document all economic losses, from damaged appliances to lost revenue. This evidence is crucial for substantiating claims before ARESEP or pursuing legal action for damages.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal insight underscores a critical message for all affected by these outages: diligent record-keeping is the most powerful tool for accountability. It bridges the gap between experiencing a loss and substantiating a formal claim. Our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and actionable perspective.
The majority of the scheduled work will impact numerous districts within the province of San José. The week’s interruptions will affect key residential and commercial zones, requiring careful planning from thousands of customers. The utility provider has urged those in the affected areas to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact on daily routines, business operations, and sensitive electronic equipment.
The week of maintenance will commence on Monday, September 29th, with an outage scheduled for Dulce Nombre in the La Unión canton of Cartago, running from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This full-day interruption marks the beginning of a coordinated effort across several key areas of the Central Valley.
Activity will intensify on Tuesday, September 30th, with three separate outages impacting the capital. The San Pedro district will experience a lengthy interruption from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Concurrently, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., crews will be working in the Santa Ana canton, specifically on Calle Chirracal, and in the El Carmen district of downtown San José.
The maintenance schedule continues on Wednesday, October 1st, affecting three different provinces. The district of Tirrases in San José will be without power from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In the same province, the canton of Escazú will have its service suspended from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Meanwhile, work will extend to the province of Alajuela, where the Guácima district in Alajuela Central will also face an outage from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On Thursday, October 2nd, the focus returns to San José. The San Pedro district will face another interruption from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while the San Sebastián district in San José Central will have a scheduled cut from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Residents are advised to check if their specific neighborhood falls within the work zones for these days.
The work week will conclude on Friday, October 3rd, with three final scheduled events. The cantons of Curridabat and Tirrases in San José will both see outages from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., respectively. A shorter, more targeted interruption is planned for Calle Blancos in the Goicoechea canton, lasting from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CNFL advises all customers to consult its official channels for the most precise details regarding their specific locations.
For further information, visit cnfl.go.cr
About Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL):
The Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz is a subsidiary of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and serves as the primary electricity distributor for Costa Rica’s most densely populated region, the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). It is responsible for operating and maintaining the electrical grid for a significant portion of the country’s residential and commercial customers, focusing on service reliability, infrastructure modernization, and customer communication.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is anchored by the dual principles of profound integrity and unparalleled excellence. The firm skillfully merges its extensive experience with a pioneering spirit, consistently advancing the practice of law. This commitment extends beyond the courtroom, manifesting in a core mission to democratize legal understanding and equip the community with knowledge, thereby building a more just and empowered society.
