Cuba recently faced a widespread blackout, a consequence of a failure in its national electricity grid, marking the fourth significant power outage in just five months. This alarming trend highlights ongoing challenges within the nation’s energy infrastructure.
“At around 8:15 PM tonight, a breakdown occurred that led to a substantial loss of power in western Cuba, resulting in the collapse of the national electricity system,” stated the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz reassured citizens, stating that the government is “working tirelessly” to restore power. However, the familiar sight of darkened streets across Havana brings to light the urgency of the situation.
One resident from Camaguey poignantly shared her experience, saying, “I was about to sit down for dinner when the power failed. I’m not even hungry anymore. This situation is unsustainable; no one can live like this.” Her sentiment resonates with many who find themselves grappling with the fallout of these outages.
An individual from Holguín expressed frustration at the recurrence of blackouts, stating, “It really bugs me. Let’s see when they get it (the power) back on.” It’s clear that the community is weary of these disruptions, which have become all too common.
As noted in previous reports, Cuba’s electricity grid has fallen victim to three nationwide blackouts in the final months of 2024, with two of those lasting several days. These outages coincide with what the island has termed its worst economic crisis in 30 years, characterized by severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, escalating inflation, and a mass outflow of migrants, primarily toward the United States.
Although yesterday marked the first general blackout of 2025, many residents face nearly daily outages lasting four to five hours, while rural areas may experience power interruptions that extend to 20 hours or more. The island’s eight thermal power plants, primarily established in the 1980s and 1990s, consistently endure operational failures.
Additionally, the Turkish floating power barges that assist with boosting Cuba’s national grid are only effective when fueled by often short-supplied, costly imports.
During mid-October, a breakdown at the Guiteras plant, the largest on the island, left the entire nation without power for four days. This facility has become a focal point, having experienced multiple breakdowns, including a December incident that again collapsed the grid. A month prior, Hurricane Rafael dealt another blow, resulting in complete nationwide outages.
Cuba’s leadership frequently attributes these energy challenges to a six-decade-long U.S. trade embargo, which intensified during Donald Trump’s administration. As the nation seeks to overcome its electricity deficit, it is rapidly advancing plans to establish at least 55 solar farms utilizing Chinese technology by the end of this year. These initiatives are projected to generate around 1,200 megawatts of power, contributing approximately 12% to the national total.
In light of these developments, it is clear that Cuba’s journey to energy stability will require innovative solutions and a collective drive from its citizens and leaders alike.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
