Cuba plunges into darkness with 5-hour daily blackouts after power plant failure

Cuba has been experiencing significant challenges with its power grid over the past few months, culminating in a severe nationwide blackout on December 5, 2024. This blackout, which is the third of such magnitude in less than two months, was triggered by a breakdown at a thermoelectric plant located in Matanzas province, east of Havana. The incident created a ripple effect, resulting in a system that was already under strain collapsing under the circumstances. Following the blackout, authorities reported that electricity services began to be restored, with classes and work activities gradually returning to normal. Despite these efforts to restore power, the Cuban government announced that they would continue to implement scheduled power outages. These planned outages, lasting approximately five hours each day, have been a common occurrence in various blocks and zones throughout the country in recent months as authorities struggle to manage the power supply. The frequency of these blackouts has highlighted the underlying issues facing Cuba's electrical infrastructure, which suffers from fuel shortages and aging systems. The situation has been exacerbated by recent extreme weather conditions, including the impacts of Hurricane Oscar and Hurricane Rafael, both of which contributed to previous outages. As more than half of the country faces power cuts during peak hours, the essential need for electricity as a resource for basic tasks, such as cooking and pumping water, becomes increasingly crucial. In summary, the nation's ability to provide reliable electricity to its citizens has reached a critical point, and the outlook remains uncertain as challenges with infrastructure and resource supply continue. The return of regular power outages reflects the difficulties the government faces in ensuring consistent and reliable power for its citizens amidst these significant operational hurdles.