Home / Disasters and Accidents / Cuba's Power Grid Collapses: Island Plunged into Darkness
Cuba's Power Grid Collapses: Island Plunged into Darkness
19 Sep
Summary
- Nearly half of Havana's customers had power restored Saturday.
- Blackouts stem from transmission line failures and unstable weather.
- US energy blockade exacerbates Cuba's infrastructure issues.
Cuba is actively working to restore electricity following a significant power outage that plunged the nation into darkness. Union Electrica (UNE), the state-run company, reported that approximately half of its customers in the capital, Havana, had their power back on Saturday, with gradual restoration underway.
The widespread blackout, which impacted all of Cuba, was initially concentrated in the eastern provinces. Cuban authorities cited a failure in central high-voltage transmission lines and unstable weather as contributing factors. This incident marks at least the twelfth blackout since late 2024 and the sixth this year alone.
For years, Cuba has contended with an aging electrical infrastructure and persistent fuel shortages, leading to recurrent power disruptions. These issues have been compounded by a US energy blockade, imposed in January, which has intensified the crisis. United Nations human rights experts have criticized the blockade, highlighting the growing severity of shortages and blackouts on the island.
