Cuba gradually restores power after fifth national blackout this year

Cuba is slowly bringing its electricity network back online following a national blackout on Tuesday, the fifth this year and the third in less than ten days. The island nation of 9.6 million people lost power at 11:05 a.m. due to a "swing" in the electrical system caused by a sudden shutdown of a thermoelectric plant. This created a significant imbalance between energy generation and demand.

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The restoration is being carried out gradually as permitted by the National Electric System.

The state-owned Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported that service began to be restored Tuesday night. As of the latest update, all 24 substations and 68 distribution circuits in Havana were re-energized, restoring power to 24% of the capital's customers. Crucially, all 43 medical centers in Havana have electricity, and the water supply is normalizing, with four of five pumping systems operational.

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This occurs fundamentally due to the situation that our electrical system has, aggravated after the United States' order.

The country is grappling with a severe energy crisis, marked by a profound lack of fuel and difficulties obtaining spare parts for its thermoelectric plants. Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy directly blamed the situation on "the situation that our electrical system has, aggravated after the United States' order." He stated that the country faces a "total absence of fuel," with only one Russian vessel carrying 100,000 tons of crude managing to reach Cuba. This has intensified the crisis, with blackouts exceeding 30 hours in Havana and lasting several days in other provinces.

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The country faces a 'total absence of fuel'.

De la O Levy described the situation as "practically a war," emphasizing that the fuel shortage prevents the operation of backup generators. The ongoing power outages have fueled public frustration, with citizens expressing dismay over the unreliable electricity supply.

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It is practically a war.