Cuba Plunged Into Darkness as Power Grid Collapses

TDT | Manama

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Cuba’s fragile power grid crumbled late on Wednesday, leaving millions across the island in the dark and amplifying the hardships of a nation already grappling with economic turmoil and resource shortages.

By evening, the country was producing just 533 megawatts of electricity – a mere fraction of the 3,000 megawatts typically required to meet peak demand.

Government Priority

The National Electric Union (UNE) confirmed the collapse, marking yet another blow to Cuba’s outdated and overstressed energy system.

As night fell, the majority of Cubans were left without power, a stark reminder of the island’s deepening struggles.

Efforts were underway to prioritise electricity for hospitals and water pumping stations, but the government announced closures of schools and non-essential services until further notice.

Partial Restoration

In parts of Havana, faint glimmers of hope emerged as lights flickered back on for over 260,000 residents by late evening, but the vast majority of the island remained in darkness.

This blackout is just the latest in a series of nationwide outages that have plagued Cuba in recent years.

A combination of fuel shortages, economic decline, and natural disasters has pushed the country’s electricity grid to the brink.

Rolling blackouts lasting hours, coupled with severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water, have made daily life increasingly unbearable for the Cuban people.

Mounting Exodus

The strain has fuelled a growing exodus, with record numbers of Cubans fleeing the island in recent years in search of better opportunities.

The collapse of the grid underscores the broader crisis engulfing the nation, leaving many questioning how much longer the system can endure under such relentless pressure.

As the Caribbean island grapples with yet another blow, its people remain resilient, but the mounting challenges cast an ominous shadow over Cuba’s already uncertain future.