Cuba's National Electric Grid collapsed late Friday, leading to widespread blackouts across Havana and across the country, leaving millions of people in the dark.
Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines said the electricity separation in the capital knocked out electricity to a massive Swas in West Cuba, including Havana, at about 8:15pm, causing a failure in the national electrical system.
Lights have been generated across all of Havana's waterfront skyline observed by Reuters witnesses, with few tourist hotels scattered with generators.
Social media reports from both the east and west states of the capital suggest that many of the 10 million Caribbean island nations lack power. Internet services were also affected.
People from faraway people, such as Guantanamo, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba and Santa Clara, reported that they were experiencing a blackout just by a small light of light.
The Department of Energy said at X “we are “working on the recovery process.”
Previously, the Electric Union, a state agency that regulates the sector, said in a daily report that peak demand was around 3,250 megawatts and the deficit would reach around 1,380 MW, with 42% of the national energy system being closed. This number is not the best in recent memory.
The grid failure followed a series of nationwide blackouts late last year, causing Cuba's frail and outdated power generation systems to almost two disruptions highlighted by fuel shortages, natural disasters and economic crises.
A rolling blackout for hours has been the norm for months, with over half of the country experiencing power outages at its peak. In many parts of the island, electricity is important for cooking and water supply.
A severe food, medicine and water shortage has made it even more unbearable for many Cubans who have left the island in record numbers in recent years.
Island officials have launched a program to set up solar parks, and have pledged dozens of people to be ready this year. Blackouts previously urged anti-government demonstrations in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Associated Press and
