A significant power outage struck Cuba, the fourth in six months, due to failures in the aging electrical infrastructure. Originating at a substation in Diezmero, the blackout affected western Cuba and led to the national power grid’s disconnection. Residents expressed frustration over the recurring outages amid an ongoing economic crisis. The government is planning to implement solar energy solutions to increase reliability, aiming for substantial renewable energy contributions by 2030.
Recent Power Outage Strikes Cuba Again
A significant power outage, marking the fourth in just under six months, impacted Cuba starting Friday night and extending into Saturday. This disruption was attributed to a malfunction within the country’s aging electrical infrastructure.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported via X that the blackout began around 8:15 PM local time (00:15 GMT Saturday) and led to a considerable loss of electricity generation in western Cuba, resulting in the disconnection of the national power grid.
The incident originated at an electrical substation in Diezmero, a suburb of Havana, according to the ministry. Residents expressed their frustration over the recurring blackouts, with Angélica Caridad Martínez, a 50-year-old from Camagüey, stating, “I was about to sit down when the electricity went out. This situation is unbearable; no one can live like this.”
Ongoing Power Challenges and Economic Impact
Cuba, home to 9.7 million people, has faced three major power outages in the last quarter of 2024 alone, two of which lasted for several days, including one during a hurricane. These persistent electrical failures exacerbate the economic crisis the country has been enduring, the worst in three decades, leading to shortages in food, medicine, and fuel, alongside soaring inflation.
In light of the unexpected national power grid disconnection, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz announced on X that efforts were already underway to restore service as swiftly as possible. By midnight, officials reported that independent circuits in several provinces had been reactivated, prioritizing essential services.
As darkness enveloped the streets of Havana, only a few hotels and private businesses equipped with generators remained illuminated, along with hospitals. An AFP journalist noted that passersby were navigating the streets using mobile phones and flashlights. Residents shared their discontent, with Karen Gutierrez, an ice cream vendor, lamenting, “What a situation, my God! It’s terrible! We are in for a bad weekend.” Meanwhile, 67-year-old Andrés López voiced his concerns, stating, “I didn’t expect it, and it bothers me a lot. And who knows when it will be restored.”
Though this is the first widespread blackout of 2025, many Cubans are accustomed to regular outages lasting four to five hours, especially in Havana, while provinces can experience outages exceeding 20 hours. Earlier in February, the government had to suspend all activities for two days to conserve energy and avert a total blackout.
The country’s eight aging power plants, predominantly built in the 1980s and 1990s, frequently encounter breakdowns. Floating power plants, rented from a Turkish company, and generators that supplement the national grid rely on fuels that are difficult for Cuba to import due to the U.S. embargo.
In response to the ongoing energy crisis, the Cuban government is intensifying efforts to establish at least 55 solar parks utilizing Chinese technology by 2025. These solar installations are projected to generate 1,200 megawatts, or 12% of the nation’s energy. By 2030, Cuba aims to generate over 2,000 megawatts of solar energy, with expectations that 37% of the country’s electricity will come from renewable sources.