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Taiwan's state-run power company on Thursday initiated rolling blackouts, or short-term power outages around the country, affecting 8.46 million customers nationwide after a malfunction caused four generators to trip at Hsinta Power Plant in Kaohsiung, CNA reports.

Taiwan Power Co said it had initiated outages in different areas as an emergency measure after generators at the plant jumped at 2:37 p.m., prompting a phone alert that was sent to cell phone users across Taiwan.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the incident was sparked by the malfunction of a communication system at a transformer station in Kaohsiung, as a result of which Hsinta Power Plant was unable to distribute energy.

The malfunction caused two coal-fired generators and two natural gas generators at the plant to trip, cutting power output by 1.6 million kilowatts, the ministry said.

The power outages initiated in response to the shortfall were implemented in 50-minute intervals, affecting 8.46 million customers in total, with the goal of having power fully restored sometime this evening, Taiwpower said.

According to the utility, the first round of outages reduced total output by 3 million kW between 3:00-3:50 p.m., affecting around 2 million customers.

The second round reduced output by 3 million kW between 3:50-4:40 p.m., impacting about 1.93 million customers, the company said.

The third round of outages reduced output by 3.5 million kW between 4:40-5:30 p.m., affecting 2.24 million customers, Taipower said.

The fourth round of outages is in effect until 6:20 p.m. and is affecting 2.29 million customers, it said.

Taiwan begins rolling emergency blackouts to deal with power outage