Cuba has reconnected its electrical grid, restoring power to much of Havana after a two-day outage affecting 10 million people. While about two-thirds of the city has regained electricity, officials report that generation remains at only one-third of typical demands, leaving many residents still without power. The crisis stems from outdated power infrastructure and external sanctions, prompting moves toward solar energy development.
Cuba has successfully reconnected its national electrical grid, restoring power to much of Havana nearly two days after a significant outage impacted 10 million people. By late Sunday, Havana’s electric company reported that power had returned to approximately two-thirds of its clients, with further increases expected overnight. Residents celebrated as electricity gradually returned after an extended period of darkness.
The outage was initiated by a transmission line failure at a substation in Havana, triggering a total power generation shutdown across Cuba. This blackout affected Havana, a densely populated area critical to Cuba’s tourism, resulting in halted commerce and the shutdown of restaurants, with street and stoplights inoperative.
By late Sunday, Cuba’s two largest oil-fired power plants, Felton and Antonio Guiteras, resumed operations, marking a crucial step in the recovery process. Additionally, power was restored in Pinar del Río province, the last area to receive electricity before nightfall.
The recent grid failure represents Cuba’s fourth nationwide blackout since October, a reflection of the ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by dwindling oil imports from suppliers such as Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico. Many residents were facing chronic power interruptions lasting over 20 hours daily prior to this incident.
Although power restoration efforts are underway, officials indicated they were generating only one-third of the typical daily demand, leaving many still without power. Schools in Pinar del Río, Artemisa, and Mayabeque provinces will remain closed until Tuesday to ensure safe conditions for students.
Cuba attributes its escalating energy crisis to the long-standing U.S. trade embargo and the tightening of sanctions by the Trump administration. In response, the government is advancing plans for solar farm development with Chinese assistance to diminish reliance on outdated oil-fired energy generation.
The restoration of electricity in Havana follows a significant grid collapse impacting millions. While significant progress has been made, continued challenges remain with power generation and established dependency on aging oil-fired power plants. The ongoing energy crisis in Cuba highlights the intersection of domestic infrastructural issues and external political pressures, prompting efforts to enhance renewable energy sources.
Original Source: gazette.com
