What's happened
Cuba's electrical system has suffered multiple blackouts, with the latest occurring on December 4, 2024, due to a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant. The outages, exacerbated by fuel shortages and aging infrastructure, have left much of the country without power, prompting authorities to implement scheduled outages.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to AP News, the latest blackout was attributed to a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, which has been a recurring issue due to aging infrastructure. The Independent reported that the blackouts have left over half the country without power during peak hours, exacerbated by fuel shortages and the impact of recent hurricanes. The South China Morning Post highlighted the critical role of grid management in maintaining stability, emphasizing the need for emergency drills and improved planning to address structural issues. These perspectives illustrate the multifaceted nature of Cuba's energy crisis, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms.
How we got here
Cuba's power grid has been in decline, facing challenges from aging infrastructure and fuel shortages. Recent hurricanes have further strained the system, leading to a series of significant blackouts, including one in October 2024 that left the island without electricity for days.
More on these topics
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Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is a country comprising the island of Cuba as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet.
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The Havana is the capital city, largest city, province, major port, and leading commercial center of Cuba. The city has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of 781.58 km² – making it the largest city by area, the most populous