Cuba Power Outage Plunges Havana into Darkness After Grid Failure

A massive blackout hit Cuba’s western region on Wednesday. Millions of residents in Havana and surrounding areas were left without power. The outage lasted for nearly 12 hours.

The failure snarled daily life and business across the capital. It was caused by a breakdown in the country’s aging electrical infrastructure.

Transmission Line Collapse Triggers Widespread Blackout

Lázaro Guerra, general director of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, confirmed the cause. He stated a major transmission line connecting two power plants failed. This line is a critical artery for the national grid.

The grid was technically restored by Wednesday afternoon. However, the government warned full restoration would not be immediate. Generation deficits continued to cause problems across the region.

According to Reuters, the outage followed two days of peak-hour power shortages. This event echoed a total island-wide blackout that occurred in September. Officials consistently blame aging infrastructure and fuel shortages.

Chronic Grid Issues Deepen Cuba’s Severe Economic Crisis

The blackout is a symptom of a much larger problem. Cuba’s thermal power plants are over 30 years old and receive minimal maintenance. The cost of proper upkeep is prohibitive for the struggling economy.

Fuel shortages exacerbate the situation. These are caused by a lack of funds and the impact of international sanctions. The result is a fragile system prone to collapse.

The ongoing power crisis affects more than just lights. It disrupts water service and severely impacts the island’s fragile business sector. Small business owners, like cafe owners, describe the situation as very tough.

The government is pursuing alternative energy programs. These include solar park projects with foreign support. However, these initiatives are still in their early stages and cannot yet stabilize the grid.

This latest Cuba power outage underscores the profound challenges facing the nation’s basic infrastructure. The event highlights how technical failures directly intensify an existing humanitarian and economic situation. Restoring reliable electricity remains a critical and unresolved issue for millions.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What caused the power outage in Cuba?

The blackout was caused by a failure on a major transmission line. This line connects two critical power plants within the national grid. The failure triggered a cascade that cut power to the western half of the island.

How long did the blackout last?

The widespread outage lasted for nearly 12 hours. While the national grid was technically re-energized by the afternoon, full restoration for all customers was not immediate. Many areas experienced prolonged disruptions.

Which areas of Cuba were affected?

The outage primarily impacted the western half of the country. This included the capital city of Havana and surrounding provinces. The eastern region has been dealing with separate outages since a hurricane in October.

Is this a common problem in Cuba?

Yes, power outages have become chronic in Cuba. A total island-wide blackout occurred in September 2024. Daily peak-hour shortages are frequently reported, blamed on old infrastructure and fuel problems.

What is the government doing to fix the power grid?

The government cites maintenance and fuel issues. It is also implementing a solar energy program with international support. However, these solutions are long-term and have not yet prevented major outages.