Cuba’s power grid collapsed again on Saturday morning, state media reported, plunging the entire country into darkness for a second time, hours after authorities announced they had begun restoration work.
CubaDebate, one of the island’s state media outlets, reported that the company that operates the UNE network announced at 6:15 am local time the “total disconnection of the national electrical system”.
“The Cuban Electrical Union is working to restore it,” the short message said.
Cuba’s power grid went down for the first time yesterday around noon local time after the closure of one of the country’s largest power plants, leaving more than 10 million people without power.
Even before the grid collapse, a power cut yesterday forced the Cuban government to send non-essential public workers home and cancel school classes.
However, lights began flickering on the island on Friday night, raising hopes that power would be restored.
The operator did not provide details on what caused the grid to collapse today or how long it will take to restore power.
The Cuban government claims that the worsening of blackouts that have hit the country for weeks, often lasting 10 to 20 hours a day, are due to the degradation of infrastructure, fuel shortages and increased demand.
Source: AMPE