Cuba has once again been plunged into darkness after a nationwide collapse of its electricity grid, leaving nearly 10 million people without power. State-owned utility Unión Eléctrica (UNE) confirmed that the outage affected the entire island, marking the fourth nationwide blackout in recent weeks and underscoring the country’s worsening energy crisis.
Authorities said the national power system suffered a complete failure late Sunday. Engineers immediately began restoring electricity through isolated local grids, but large parts of the country remained without power for hours. The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been officially identified.
Cuba’s electricity system has been under growing pressure because of aging infrastructure, chronic fuel shortages, and difficulties obtaining replacement parts. In many provinces, residents have endured rolling blackouts lasting more than 20 hours a day, disrupting businesses, hospitals, transportation, and everyday life.
The government has recently begun introducing limited economic reforms aimed at easing the crisis. Havana has authorized its first foreign-backed fuel import venture and allowed nearly 200 private Cuban businesses to participate in wholesale fuel distribution in an effort to improve energy supplies.
Energy analysts warn that without major investment in power generation and grid modernization, nationwide blackouts are likely to continue. The prolonged electricity shortages are placing increasing pressure on Cuba’s economy, healthcare system, tourism industry, and the daily lives of millions of residents.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE).
