Blackouts
Cuba launches recovery after second nationwide blackout in a week
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Cuba has begun restoring power following a nationwide grid collapse on Saturday evening—the second total blackout in less than a week and third major outage this month—affecting around 10 million people after a major power plant in Nuevitas failed. Officials established microgrids for essential services amid chronic fuel shortages and grid unreliability.
One year after the April 28, 2025, blackout that paralyzed power for 36 million consumers across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, Spain's CNMC has escalated sanctions against Red Eléctrica and utilities including Endesa, Iberdrola, and Naturgy. Reinforced grid operations have spiked electricity costs, yet no structural reforms or political accountability have emerged.
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Residents of Nuevo Vedado in Havana banged pots and pans Thursday night just blocks from the Communist Party of Cuba headquarters, amid ongoing blackouts. Activist Magdiel Jorge Castro shared a video of the protest on Facebook. State-run Unión Eléctrica reported more than half of Cuba without power during peak hours.
Two Mexican vessels carrying 80,000 barrels of fuel are heading to Cuba to help mitigate the island's energy crisis. This aid arrives at a critical time, with power outages exceeding 20 hours daily affecting wide areas. Pemex's shipment covers slightly more than the daily crude deficit faced by the Caribbean nation.
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In Havana, scheduled or unexpected blackouts lasting up to 12 hours have become a constant, forcing Cubans to reorganize daily routines. Families like Laura's, aged 68, prioritize cooking before interruptions to prevent food spoilage in limited refrigerators. These power failures impact work, health, and the psychological well-being of millions.
In San Jose de las Lajas, residents gather every night at a small burger stand lit by a generator, seeking light and internet amid prolonged blackouts. The town plunges into darkness for more than ten hours, disrupting daily life. Locals share stories of frustration and adaptation in the face of Cuba's energy crisis.
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In fall 2025, Cuba endures one of its worst energy crises in decades, with blackouts plunging communities from Santiago to Pinar del Río into darkness. The national grid operates below half of peak demand due to fuel shortages and infrastructure failures. New solar projects offer some hope, but the country struggles to sustain power.