Cuba is facing another challenge as the government works to restore electrical service across the island after a second grid collapse in just 24 hours. Lazaro Guerra, the country’s top electricity official, mentioned on a morning TV news program that technicians were reconnecting three crucial power plants to the system after a malfunction in western Cuba. While Guerra couldn’t guarantee completion of the task on the same day, he expressed hope for significant progress.
The initial grid failure occurred on Friday when one of the largest power plants in Cuba suddenly shut down, plunging over 10 million people into darkness. Prior to the collapse, the government had already taken measures to conserve fuel for electricity generation due to an electricity shortfall. The situation led to non-essential state workers being sent home and school classes being canceled.
Despite the challenges, there were reports of lights flickering on in certain areas of the island on Friday evening, signaling a potential restoration of power. The Cuban government attributes the frequent blackouts, lasting up to 20 hours a day in some regions, to a combination of factors such as deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increased demand. The aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which brought strong winds, further complicated fuel deliveries to power plants.
Cuba’s reliance on imports for fuel has been strained this year as key suppliers like Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico reduced exports to the island. Venezuela, in particular, cut its subsidized fuel deliveries to Cuba by half, prompting the country to explore costly alternatives in the spot market. The U.S. trade embargo and sanctions under the Trump administration have also contributed to the challenges in sourcing fuel and spare parts for Cuba’s oil-fired plants.
While Cuba has pointed fingers at external factors for its energy crisis, the United States has denied any involvement in the recent grid collapse. The situation underscores the importance of a resilient and self-sustaining energy infrastructure to avoid disruptions that impact millions of lives. As the government works to rebuild the electrical service, it faces the urgent task of addressing the root causes of the recurring blackouts and ensuring a reliable power supply for its citizens.