Cuba is gradually restoring electrical service after a major blackout left over 70% of its population without power for four days. Officials reported that as of Tuesday, 70.89% of customers were receiving electricity again following damage to a thermoelectric plant due to Hurricane Oscar. The hurricane has also led to tragic loss of life and extensive flooding. Facing ongoing energy crises and public protests, authorities have suspended non-essential services while working to stabilize the situation.
On Tuesday, electrical services began to see progress in Cuba, with over 70% of the population regaining power four days after a significant blackout affected the entire island.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, 70.89% of customers in Cuba had electrical service restored by Tuesday morning. The ministry added that efforts to enhance electrical coverage across the nation were ongoing.
Previously, the government had expressed hopes to restore power by Monday evening but extended the timeframe to Tuesday at the latest.
A massive failure at the country’s primary thermoelectric plant in Matanzas led to the complete collapse of the power grid on Friday. Since then, authorities have been working diligently to restore service.
By Monday evening, the two million residents of Havana had their electricity returned, allowing the capital to resume much of its usual traffic and activities, according to reports from AFP.
Residents expressed their relief, with 81-year-old Magalis Manzano from Old Havana saying, “We couldn’t be happier. It’s about time! I’d been sleeping poorly for days without a fan.” She added, “Now, I just hope it doesn’t go out again!”
The energy crisis affecting the island of 10 million worsened after Hurricane Oscar struck, resulting in six fatalities and extensive damage in the east.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel reported that six lives were lost in San Antonio del Sur, located in the province of Guantanamo. Areas such as Imias also faced severe weather impacts, with unprecedented flooding recorded in both municipalities.
Authorities noted that over 366 millimeters of rain fell within 24 hours in the eastern region. Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Sunday night with winds nearing 130 km/h, later downgraded to a tropical storm, and exited Cuban territory by late Monday, leading to the lifting of the alert in eastern areas by Tuesday.
– A Call for Stability –
In light of the ongoing energy crisis, President Diaz-Canel emphasized on Sunday that his government would not tolerate any disturbances to public order, particularly as protests erupted over the weekend reflecting public frustration.
The current power outages echo the protests witnessed on July 11, 2021, which were spurred by similar conditions.
In response to the dual crisis of energy shortages and adverse weather, authorities decided to suspend classes and non-essential public services until Wednesday, ensuring that only hospitals and essential services remain operational.
Cuba is grappling with its most serious crisis in three decades, with this latest power failure compounding chronic blackouts alongside severe shortages of food, medicine, and escalating inflation.
Just prior to the blackout, President Diaz-Canel announced that the island was in an “energy emergency,” primarily due to challenges in acquiring necessary fuel for power generation, exacerbated by the longstanding embargo from the United States since 1962.
Cuba’s electricity is generated through eight outdated thermoelectric plants, some of which frequently require maintenance or are offline. The country also relies on several floating power plants leased from Turkish companies, as well as generator sets. However, the adoption of renewable energy technologies remains limited.
In September 2022, a previous widespread blackout occurred following Hurricane Ian’s landfall on the western part of the island. The restoration of power took several days in Havana, leading to sporadic protests in the capital and weeks of delays in other affected regions.