A significant power outage hit Cuba on the night of March 14, 2025, due to failures within its national electricity system. This outage, which affected the island from Friday evening to Saturday morning, marks the fourth general power failure within six months, highlighting the growing crisis surrounding Cuba's aging electrical infrastructure.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported the failure occurred at the Diezmero substation, on the outskirts of Havana, affecting not only the capital but also other provinces. Around 8:15 PM local time, the overload led to substantial generation loss, prompting the national electricity system to collapse.
The repercussions of these outages have left the public frustrated and anxious. Ang3lica Caridad Mart1nez, a 50-year-old resident of Camag3ey, voiced her distress: "I was about to sit down when the electricity went out... this situation is unsustainable. No one can live like this." Such sentiments resonate with many citizens struggling to manage daily chores without reliable electricity. The challenges are magnified as many Cubans already endure near-daily blackouts lasting four to five hours.
Cuba's population of 9.7 million has been grappling with chronic electrical outages, exacerbated by the country’s worst economic crisis in three decades. The economic downturn has resulted in severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, along with rampant inflation. The outdated technology of Cuba's electrical grid, primarily powered by eight thermoelectric plants established mostly during the 1980s and 1990s, regularly malfunctions and cannot meet the growing demand, especially during peak hours.
After this latest outage, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz assured citizens, "Faced with the unexpected disconnection of the national electricity system, we are working tirelessly to restore it as quickly as possible." By shortly before midnight on March 15, authorities reported having re-established electricity through independent circuits across various provinces, prioritizing key sectors such as hospitals and emergency services. Nonetheless, the reality remains harsh: many regions, especially outside the capital, struggle with power cuts lasting over 20 hours.
These regular disruptions raise concerns about daily living conditions as many rely on electricity for cooking and accessing clean water. The Cuba Electricity Union, which oversees the electricity sector, indicated peak demand levels are around 3,250 megawatts, but the current system can only manage about 1,870 megawatts, creating significant deficits and widespread inconvenience.
The government, striving to mitigate these issues, aims to boost solar energy production by installing at least 55 solar parks using Chinese technology by the end of 2025. According to official estimates, these parks could generate 1,200 megawatts, equaling approximately 12% of Cuba’s energy needs. By 2030, authorities hope to shift to renewable sources for 37% of the country's electricity needs, significantly improving the situation.
Despite government efforts, the chronic outages reflect deep-rooted systemic problems compounded by fuel shortages stemming from the US embargo and lack of investments. Floating power plants leased from Turkish companies and generators are often undependable as they rely on fuels imported with great difficulty. The combination of these factors means Cubans continue to face the harsh realities of life without consistent power.
Residents are left to adapt to sporadic power supply, which has led to innovative yet crude habits, like lighting their paths with phone flashlights during the night. The streets of Havana, often dark and lifeless, tell the story of frustration, resilience, and the need for immediate reform.
While the immediate efforts to remedy the current situation are underway, the effectiveness of these plans is yet to be seen. For now, Cubans brace themselves against the uncertainty of electrical outages, hoping for the swift implementation of solar parks and more reliable energy solutions.
This most recent outage serves as yet another reminder of the systemic challenges facing Cuba. A path toward modernization and reliability is urgently needed as the government seeks to restore faith among its citizens weary from extended blackouts and economic strife.