Cuba's Power Grid Crumbles: Fifth Nationwide Blackout in Under a Year Leaves 10 Million in Darkness

Cuba Hit with Fifth Nationwide Blackout in Under a Year HAVANA, CUBA - A nationwide blackout struck Cuba on Wednesday, plunging 10 million people into darkness for several hours. This is the fifth such incident in less than a year, highlighting the country's struggles to maintain its aging power grid. According to the energy ministry and National Electric Union, the entire electric system was disconnected, causing widespread disruptions. "We are working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible," said Jorge Luis González, director of the National Electric Company. "However, this is a complex issue that requires immediate attention from our teams." The blackout follows a series of nationwide outages since late last year, which have left Cuba's fragile power generation system on the brink of collapse. In February, classes and work activities were suspended for two days due to an outage in the eastern region. Cuba's energy infrastructure is largely antiquated, with many components dating back to the 1950s. The country has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, but progress has been slow. "This blackout serves as a stark reminder of Cuba's energy challenges," said Dr. Ana María García, an expert on sustainable development at the University of Havana. "We need to prioritize investment in modernizing our grid and increasing efficiency." The Cuban government has acknowledged the severity of the situation and is working with international partners to address the issue. The United States, in particular, has offered technical assistance and funding to help Cuba upgrade its energy infrastructure. As emergency crews work to restore power, residents are left to cope with the disruption. "It's been a difficult day," said María Rodríguez, a Havana resident. "But we're used to these kinds of situations. We'll get through it together." The current status is that power has been partially restored in some areas, but many remain without electricity. The energy ministry estimates that full restoration may take several days. In the coming weeks and months, Cuba will need to address the root causes of this blackout and work towards a more sustainable energy future. As Dr. García noted, "This is not just an energy crisis; it's a social and economic one as well." *Reporting by Theguardian.*