Cuba faces nationwide blackout as main power plant fails

Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout on Friday, plunging its 10 million residents into darkness after the collapse of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, the country’s largest and most efficient energy facility. While officials reported a trickle of power returning to some areas of Havana by evening, the majority of the island remained without electricity, facing severe hardships exacerbated by ongoing shortages of food, fuel, water, and medicine.

The blackout unfolded just before midday when the Guiteras plant went offline, triggering a total grid failure. In an urgent response, the government had already closed schools and non-essential industries, sending most state workers home in a last-ditch effort to conserve power. Recreational venues, including nightclubs, were also shuttered as part of this emergency measure.

By nightfall, while some pockets of Havana saw lights flicker back on—particularly in major hospitals—most of the city remained in darkness. Scattered residents gathered on doorsteps, with many expressing frustration over the lack of services. Brazilian tourist Carlos Roberto Julio described his recent experience: “We went to a restaurant and they had no food because there was no power, now we are also without internet. In two days, we have already had several problems.”

Cuban authorities are working to restore electricity, with plans to restart at least five oil-fired generation plants overnight. The state-operated grid operator, UNE, remains hopeful that these efforts will enable broader power distribution across the island.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attributed the increasing frequency of blackouts to a combination of deteriorating infrastructure, rising demand, and a critical fuel shortage. In a televised address, he emphasized that the fuel crisis is the primary challenge facing the energy sector. Compounding these issues, strong winds from Hurricane Milton have hampered fuel delivery from offshore boats to power facilities, further straining the grid.

The power outage represents a significant low point for Cubans, who have endured weeks of severe power shortages. As commerce ground to a halt in Havana, the frustration of residents and visitors alike highlighted the deteriorating conditions on the island. Amidst this crisis, the government is racing to address the underlying problems to restore stability and improve living conditions for its citizens.