Cuba was gripped by yet another widespread power outage on Friday night, leaving millions without electricity across Havana and the country’s provinces. The blackout, which struck around 8:15 p.m. local time, has once again exposed the fragility of the island’s aging energy infrastructure.
According to Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, the outage originated at the Diezmero substation on the outskirts of Havana, triggering “a significant loss of generation in western Cuba” and the subsequent collapse of the National Electric System. In a statement posted to its X account, the ministry assured the public it is “working on the recovery process,” though no timeline for restoration was provided.
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The streets of Havana fell eerily silent and dark, with only the glow from hotel windows—powered by private generators—piercing the night. Internet services faltered, compounding the disruption. Reports of blackouts poured in from provinces as distant as Guantánamo, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba, and Santa Clara, where residents described seeing only faint flickers of light.
Earlier that day, the state-run Electric Union had warned in its daily report of a strained grid, projecting a peak-hour demand of 3,250 megawatts against a deficit of 1,380 megawatts—leaving 42% of the national energy system offline. While significant, this shortfall is not the worst in recent history.
Cuba’s power grid has been teetering on the brink for years, with frequent outages becoming a grim norm. Late last year, the island endured three nationwide blackouts, each plunging the country into darkness amid an ongoing economic crisis. Fuel shortages and deteriorating infrastructure remain the primary culprits, hobbling a system that many Cubans rely on for essentials like cooking and water pumping.
In Havana and beyond, more than half the population faces power cuts during peak hours on any given day. Friday’s outage left the capital’s streets deserted, a stark contrast to its usual vibrancy.
The government has touted plans to bolster the grid, including a push to install photovoltaic parks across the island, with dozens promised by year’s end. Yet, skepticism lingers among residents, who have seen similar pledges falter before. Power shortages have historically fueled unrest, sparking anti-government protests in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
As recovery efforts continue, millions remain in the dark—both literally and figuratively—waiting for a solution to Cuba’s persistent energy woes.
Key Points:
- Massive Outage: Cuba experienced a widespread power outage on Friday night, affecting Havana and multiple provinces, leaving millions without electricity.
- Cause: The blackout began at 8:15 p.m. local time due to an outage at the Diezmero substation near Havana, causing a “significant loss of generation” in western Cuba and the collapse of the National Electric System.
- Impact: Havana’s streets were dark and empty, with only hotels using generators providing light. Internet services were disrupted, and blackouts were reported in provinces like Guantánamo, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba, and Santa Clara.
- Energy Deficit: The Electric Union reported a peak-hour demand of 3,250 megawatts with a 1,380-megawatt deficit, meaning 42% of the national energy system was offline—though not the highest deficit recently recorded.
- Recurring Issue: Cuba faced three nationwide outages last year, highlighting ongoing issues with fuel shortages and aging infrastructure, which frequently leave over half the country without power during peak hours.
- Government Response: The Ministry of Energy and Mines is working on recovery, and authorities are promoting photovoltaic parks, with dozens promised by year-end, though progress remains uncertain.
- Broader Context: Power cuts, critical for cooking and water pumping, have previously sparked anti-government protests in 2021, 2022, and 2024 amid a severe economic crisis.
