Cuba plunged into darkness as power outage affects millions
- On March 14, 2025, a power outage struck Cuba, affecting urban and rural areas.
- The outage, triggered by an incident at the Diezmero substation, resulted in significant generation loss.
- The frequency of such power outages continues to fuel public discontent amid an ongoing economic crisis.
Cuba experienced a significant power outage on March 14, 2025, affecting Havana and several provinces across the island. The incident began around 8:15 p.m. local time when a malfunction at the Diezmero substation on the outskirts of Havana led to extensive generation losses in western Cuba, ultimately causing a failure of the National Electric System. Millions were left in darkness, with only a few hotels operating generators providing light amidst the widespread blackout. Reports emerged from various provinces, including Guantánamo, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba, and Santa Clara, where residents noted similar disruptions in electricity supply. The Electric Union, a state agency that oversees electricity in Cuba, indicated in a daily report that peak-hour demand for electricity was approximately 3,250 megawatts. However, due to widespread issues, there was a shortfall of around 1,380 megawatts, resulting in about 42% of the national energy system being inoperative. This outage was not an isolated occurrence; Cuba has faced frequent blackouts attributed largely to deteriorating infrastructure and ongoing fuel shortages. In light of previous experiences with electricity shortages, this incident was considered as among the worst in recent years. Over the past years, the country's energy grid has been under severe strain, particularly during moments of high demand, which has led to widespread dissatisfaction and public protests in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The situation reflects an ongoing economic crisis faced by the nation, compounding the challenges in restoring a fully functional power system capable of meeting the needs of its citizens. Authorities in Cuba are taking measures to address the energy crisis by developing photovoltaic parks, with intentions of having several operational within the year. However, the immediate effects of this latest outage raise concerns about the reliability of Cuba's power generation capabilities and the socio-economic impact of sustained outages on daily life, including cooking and water pumping needs. This incident stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within Cuba's power infrastructure and the urgent need for effective solutions to meet the demands of its populace.