Cuba has begun restoring power to Havana after a nationwide blackout that affected 10 million people. Initial recovery efforts show 19% of residents in Havana have regained electricity, while the energy ministry works on restarting major power plants. The blackout has raised concerns over food safety and highlights ongoing issues with the country’s outdated energy infrastructure against the backdrop of U.S. sanctions.
Cuba has initiated efforts to restore electricity in Havana and surrounding areas following a nationwide grid failure that affected approximately 10 million residents. On Sunday, local electric providers reported that about 19% of clients in Havana experienced a restoration of power, although a timeline for full recovery remains uncertain. To aid in the restoration process, the Felton power plant has been restarted, but the larger Antonio Guinteras plant in Matanzas is still offline.
The disruption began on Friday evening when a transmission line at a Havana substation malfunctioned, leading to a complete shutdown of power across the island. With Havana being home to two million people and a hotspot for tourism, the extended blackout poses a threat to residents’ supplies of frozen food, especially after approximately 36 hours without electricity. Essential services such as tourist hotels and some businesses with generators have remained operational amidst the crisis.
This incident marks the fourth nationwide blackout in Cuba since October, highlighting significant vulnerabilities in the country’s energy infrastructure. The crisis stems from outdated oil-fired power plants struggling under decreased oil imports from countries like Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico. Last year, these plants reached a critical state, leading to frequent blackouts that have persisted for over 20 hours on some days.
Cuba attributes its power challenges to a U.S. trade embargo established during the Cold War and recent sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, which have intensified restrictions on the Cuban government. In response, the Cuban authorities are pursuing projects to construct large solar farms with support from China, aiming to decrease reliance on aging oil-powered generation.
In summary, Cuba is actively working to restore power to its capital and surrounding regions after a significant grid failure impacting millions. Despite the reinstatement of some electricity, challenges remain due to an outdated energy infrastructure and external sanctions. The Cuban government is exploring solar energy developments to alleviate its reliance on traditional oil sources and improve the nation’s power generation capabilities.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
