Cuba Experiences Nationwide Blackout, Leaving Millions Without Power

A failure at a key substation caused the collapse of the national grid, highlighting ongoing energy challenges in the country.

The blackout began Friday night at 8:15 p.m. due to a failure at the Diezmero substation near Havana, affecting the entire national electricity system.
Millions of residents across Cuba, including Havana and rural provinces, were left without power, with some areas experiencing near-total darkness.
Cuba's aging power infrastructure, frequent fuel shortages, and economic difficulties have contributed to recurring outages, with three major blackouts reported in late 2024.
Authorities are working to restore power, with Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz emphasizing efforts to recover the system quickly.
The government is pursuing long-term solutions, including the installation of 55 solar farms by the end of 2025 to alleviate reliance on outdated thermal plants and costly imported fuel.