Hydro Grid Cyberattack Triggers Reservoir Drop, Threatens Tourism Season

Off‑season occupancy at the Coral Bay Eco‑Resort rose 12 percent in October, drawing a record 4,200 visitors to Costa Mar’s dive sites despite the usual lull. The surge, recorded by the Marine Ministry’s tourism desk, lifted hotel revenues by ₣1.4 million. Yet the growing crowd arrived just as the Federal Hydro Authority reported an unexpected 15‑meter drop in the Punta Verde reservoir, a discrepancy that alarmed officials.

An investigation by the Authority’s cyber‑security unit revealed that an unauthorized intrusion altered sensor data feeding the national grid’s control centre on 7 November. The breach, traced to a foreign IP address, caused the system to display higher water levels than actual, delaying scheduled releases for downstream irrigation. “The integrity of our monitoring network is paramount,” said the Authority’s spokesperson, refusing to name the individual. Immediate manual verification was ordered, prompting emergency water releases to protect the hydro turbines.

The sudden water shortfall forced the Ministry of Energy to curtail hydro‑electric output by 8 percent, raising concerns about the stability of the 100‑percent renewable grid. Tourism operators fear that power rationing could affect night‑time reef‑lighting tours, a key attraction for divers. Federal officials in Meridian have convened an inter‑regional task force to coordinate water management and tourism support. The next briefing, scheduled for 14 November, will outline mitigation steps, the Herald will report.