Cuba Plunged Into Darkness After Nationwide Power Grid Collapse

Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout after its national electricity grid collapsed late Sunday, leaving around 10 million people without power and deepening the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The state-owned utility, Unión Eléctrica (UNE), confirmed the total failure but did not immediately provide details on the cause or a timeline for restoring electricity.

The latest outage follows three nationwide grid failures in July, highlighting the worsening condition of Cuba’s ageing electricity infrastructure. The country has struggled with frequent blackouts as power plants face fuel shortages, ageing equipment and maintenance challenges.

Millions left without electricity

The collapse plunged cities across the island, including the capital Havana, into darkness. Residents reported widespread power outages that disrupted homes, businesses, hospitals, communications and water supplies.

Authorities said engineers were working to restore the national grid, although no estimate was immediately given for when electricity would be fully reinstated.

Fuel shortages worsen crisis

Cuba’s energy system has been under increasing pressure due to severe fuel shortages and repeated breakdowns at ageing thermal power plants.

The government has also been seeking alternative fuel supplies and has recently opened parts of its tightly controlled energy sector to private and foreign investment in an effort to improve fuel distribution and electricity generation.

Impact on daily life

Rolling blackouts have become a regular feature of life across Cuba, affecting transportation, food storage, healthcare services and economic activity.

The latest nationwide outage is expected to further strain the island’s economy and daily life as officials work to stabilise the electricity network and prevent further grid failures.