Havana: Cuba has brought its national power grid back online after a widespread blackout left the island in darkness for more than 29 hours. Energy officials confirmed that electricity was fully restored by March 17 evening, though supply challenges are expected to continue.
The blackout had affected the entire population of around 10 million people, with large parts of the country losing power overnight. The restoration process included restarting key infrastructure, including the Antonio Guiteras power plant, one of the country’s main oil-fired facilities.
Despite the progress, electricity generation has remained below required levels due to severe fuel shortages and ageing power plants. Authorities have warned that intermittent outages may persist as demand continues to exceed supply.
The situation has been linked to disruptions in fuel imports, which have placed significant strain on the country’s energy system. The United States has tightened measures affecting oil supplies to the island, further complicating efforts to maintain stable electricity generation.
Tensions between Washington and Havana have continued to escalate, with both sides exchanging criticism. A United States State Department official has blamed the Cuban government for the grid collapse, describing repeated blackouts as a sign of systemic issues.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has responded by criticising the United States, accusing it of increasing pressure through threats and restrictions. Díaz-Canel said that, “They intend to and announce plans to take over the country, its resources, its properties, and even the very economy they seek to suffocate.”
The cause of the nationwide grid failure has not yet been confirmed by authorities. However, the incident has marked the first major collapse since fuel supply disruptions intensified following changes in oil shipments from Venezuela.
Even before the latest blackout, residents across the country had been experiencing extended daily outages, with some areas facing up to 16 hours without electricity. The latest disruption has added to existing hardships for households and businesses.
The Cuba power crisis has underscored broader challenges facing the island’s infrastructure, as limited fuel availability and ageing systems continue to affect energy stability.
Officials have stated that efforts are ongoing to stabilise the grid and improve electricity supply, though recovery is expected to take time given the scale of the challenges.
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