"Sorry, the School is Closed Too"…Chaos in Cuba Amid Large-Scale Power Outage for Three Days

Power Shortage as 50-Year-Old Thermal Power Plant Breaks Down
Non-Essential Businesses Ordered to Halt Production

The Caribbean island nation of Cuba is experiencing a large-scale blackout for the third consecutive day due to a chronic power shortage. On the 18th (local time), foreign media including the AP News and The New York Times reported that the blackout, which began with a failure at a thermal power plant, has affected the entire country including the capital Havana, causing inconvenience to millions of citizens.

Cuba has experienced repeated power outages due to aging facilities and fuel supply shortages caused by economic difficulties. The country relies almost entirely on eight thermal power plants for electricity production, most of which were built nearly 50 years ago but have not been properly maintained.
[Photo by AP · Yonhap News]

Although power supply resumed in some areas on the night of the 18th, electricity was cut off again on the morning of the 19th. Later in the evening, authorities announced progress in power restoration, but the electricity was cut off again within a few hours, worsening the situation. The Cuban Ministry of Energy stated that it is doing its best to resolve the situation, but full power recovery has not yet been achieved. Ultimately, the Cuban government took emergency measures, ordering non-essential businesses to halt production and closing public facilities such as schools and cultural centers.

Cuba has repeatedly experienced blackouts due to aging facilities and fuel supply shortages caused by economic difficulties. The country relies almost entirely on eight thermal power plants for electricity production, most of which were built nearly 50 years ago but have not been properly maintained. The shortage of foreign currency due to U.S. trade sanctions and economic hardship has also made it difficult to import crude oil. As Venezuela has reduced its discounted crude oil supply to Cuba, the country is making desperate efforts to overcome the energy crisis by expanding solar power facilities, but has yet to achieve significant results.

Regarding the blackout, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero explained, "We had to paralyze the economy to guarantee at least minimal electricity service." Cuban President Miguel D?az-Canel stated, "The government is giving absolute priority to resolving the energy emergency and will not rest until power is restored." Meanwhile, concerns are growing as Hurricane Oscar is expected to hit Cuba on the same day while power supply has not yet been fully restored.