Cuba Suffers Third Nationwide Blackout as Largest Power Plant Fails, Millions Without Power

Dec 4, 2024, 01:41 PM

Cuba's national electric grid collapsed early Wednesday, December 4, after the country's largest power plant, located near the capital, failed, resulting in a 'total disconnection' of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) and leaving millions without electricity. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported the failure, which caused a new nationwide blackout—the third in two months. Schools and most workplaces were closed as the island dealt with the widespread power outage. Frequent blackouts in recent months have been attributed to fuel shortages, natural disasters, lack of maintenance of the electrical grid, and an economic crisis, causing widespread disruption and contributing to an economic contraction of 1.9% in 2023.