Energy crisis
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.
Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported 298,000 tourists arriving in January, February, and March 2026, a 48% drop from 573,300 in the same period of 2025. The energy crisis, worsened by geopolitical tensions, has severely impacted the sector. Airlines have suspended flights and internal transport faces major limitations.
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the supply of diesel, petrol, and kerosene secure at the Hannover Messe opening, despite the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war. He announced a forthcoming national security council meeting. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche is inviting industry representatives for talks.
Cuba's National Electric Union (UNE) is installing 5000 2 kW photovoltaic systems donated by China to diversify the energy matrix and ensure essential services amid the energy crisis. Of these, 2671 are allocated to vital centers across all municipalities, with the remainder going to isolated homes. Project head Elena Maidelín Ortiz Fernández emphasizes that the systems offer energy security during critical outages.
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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.