On March 14, 2025, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Cuba experienced a catastrophic failure of its national electric grid, plunging over 10 million residents into darkness. The blackout originated from a malfunction at the Diezmero substation near Havana, leading to a chain reaction that collapsed the entire system.
This incident marks the fourth major blackout in six months, highlighting the fragility of Cuba’s aging energy infrastructure. Contributing factors include outdated oil-fired power plants, fuel shortages, and challenges in importing necessary resources due to longstanding U.S. trade restrictions.
In response, the Cuban government initiated restoration efforts, prioritizing essential services such as hospitals and food production centers. By March 16, approximately 19% of Havana’s electricity had been restored. The Felton power plant in the eastern provinces was restarted, but the largest facility in Matanzas remained offline, leaving the timeline for full recovery uncertain.
The blackout exacerbates existing hardships for Cubans, who are already facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. The economic crisis, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and
reduced support from traditional allies, has led to unprecedented emigration levels. To address the ongoing energy crisis, Cuba is collaborating with international partners, including China, to develop solar farms and reduce reliance on oil. However, these initiatives are in the early stages and offer no immediate relief to the current situation.
