Cuba reconnects national grid after widespread blackout

Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) has been reconnected across the country after a widespread power outage, the second such event in under a week. The Union Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) announced the full interconnection at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, following more than 24 hours of restoration work. The process was slowed by fuel scarcity, which also affects power generation. In Havana, home to 1.7 million people, over 65% of households had regained electricity by Sunday morning, though scheduled outages continue due to low production. This marks the fourth nationwide blackout in six months and the ninth since late 2024 for the island of 9.6 million inhabitants. The previous outage on Monday took two days to resolve. The persistent and lengthy blackouts, sometimes exceeding 30 hours in the capital and longer in rural areas, have left Cubans expressing exhaustion and helplessness. "We live in almost unbearable stress, this is already unbearable, unsustainable, the population can't take it anymore," a 63-year-old messenger told AFP. He added that there are "no short or medium-term solutions." The aging infrastructure and fuel shortages have long plagued the national grid. However, the situation has worsened since the U.S. imposed an oil embargo in January, complicating fuel supplies for power plants and backup generators. The island's seven thermal power plants, some over 40 years old, frequently break down or require shutdowns for maintenance. The main power plant, Antonio Guiteras, resumed operations Sunday morning, helping to stabilize the grid, according to UNE. It has experienced over 15 shutdowns this year due to consecutive failures.

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We live in almost unbearable stress, this is already unbearable, unsustainable, the population can't take it anymore