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Cuba's Entire Power Grid Collapses After Antonio Guiteras Plant Fails; Government Imposes Emergency Measures

Oct 18, 2024, 06:02 PM

Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis resulting in a nationwide blackout after the failure of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant. The collapse of the electrical grid at 11 a.m. has plunged the entire country into darkness, affecting millions of residents and causing internet traffic to decline significantly. The government has implemented emergency measures, shutting down non-essential state workplaces and schools to conserve energy. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attributed the crisis to fuel shortages and infrastructure failures, noting that electric generation capacity was 1,692 megawatts compared to a demand of 3,300 megawatts. He reassured citizens that Cuba "is not yet in a bottomless abyss." The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed the complete shutdown of the electrical system. The island is mired in its worst crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with blackouts lasting over 12 hours daily.