What happened to Cuba's power grid?

In what has turned into a regular occurrence, Cuba’s power grid collapsed on Wednesday morning, another in a series of electricity outages in the past year across the entire island.

How has Cuba regained electricity?

In the last 24 hours, Cuba has made significant strides in restoring electricity: 7:54 a.m.: Felton 1, part of the Lidio Ramón Pérez thermal power plant in Holguín province, was synchronized with the national grid, marking an important step toward stabilizing power after the total system disconnection on October 18.

What happens if the power grid fails in Cuba?

As the primary power grid fails, Cubans with resources are taking matters into their own hands, often in desperate ways. Businesses, hospitals, and wealthy families are installing gasoline and solar generators; the incessant noise from which has become part of the city’s soundscape.

Why is Cuba's power system deteriorating?

As POWER has reported, Cuba’s power system has faced increasing strain since 2021, with blackouts becoming more frequent due to accidents at key generation units and aging thermal power plants. Thermal plants are outdated, with most surpassing their 30-year lifespan.

Why does Cuba have a bad energy system?

Cuba’s energy system also suffers from years of reliance on domestic, poor-quality heavy crude oil, which is corrosive because it’s high in sulfur. This has accelerated the wear and tear on boilers, turbines, and pipes in Cuba’s power plants, shortening their life spans and causing frequent and costly outages.

Does Cuba have an energy crisis?

Cuba isn’t just in an energy crisis; the country’s grid sits on the verge of systemic failure. The National Electric System, most of which was built after 1959, hasn’t received the investment and maintenance it needs for 35 years—a consequence of Cuba’s complex political and economic history.