While giving an update on the situation, the country’s top electricity official, Lázaro Guerra, said the grid operator, UNE is working to raise enough capacity in the system to start power plants and restore electricity across the country
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Cuba’s government said that it is making some progress in restoring electricity services as the island nation faced two major power outages. The total blackout affected hospitals and other crucial infrastructure in the capital as well. State-run media stated that the national grid collapsed for the second time in 24 hours, leaving the country paralysed.
Most of Cuba’s 10 million people were left without electricity on Saturday afternoon. Traffic lights were dark at intersections throughout Havana, and most commerce was halted. Amid the chaos, long lines formed at state-subsidised shops where Cubans buy bread and other staples.
While giving an update on the situation, the country’s top electricity official, Lázaro Guerra, said the grid operator, UNE is working to raise enough capacity in the system to start power plants and restore electricity across the country.
“I cannot assure you that we will be able to complete linking the system today, but we are estimating that there should be important progress today,” Guerra said on a TV newscast. According to The Guardian, parts of the island have started to regain electricity in the early hours of Sunday.
The complete grid collapse was weeks in making
On Friday, UNE said that the nationwide blackout was caused due to the “total disconnection of the national electro-energetic system and was working on re-establishing it.” 10 million people were left without electricity from Friday midday. The chaos ensued after Cuba’s largest power plants failed.
Even before the collapse the frequent electricity shortfalls on the same day forced Cuba’s communist-run government to send nonessential state workers home and cancel school classes as it sought to conserve fuel for generation. UNE is yet to provide details on what exactly caused the power grid collapse and how long it will take to completely establish the system.
However, it is pertinent to note that there have been weeks of worsening blackouts, often lasting 10-20 hours, across much of the island. Amid the growing criticisms, the Cuban government blamed the deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages and rising demand for all the mayhem.
Last week, the island also struggled with the horrors brought by Hurricane Milton. The stormy weather conditions in the region made it difficult to deliver scarce fuel from boats offshore. Another point to take under consideration is that the fuel deliveries to the island have dropped significantly this year as Venezuela, Russia and Mexico, once leading suppliers, have reduced their exports to Cuba.
The country also blames the US trade embargo and a plethora of sanctions introduced by former US President Donald Trump for its difficulties in acquiring fuel and spare parts to operate and maintain its oil-fired plants.
With inputs from agencies.
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Publish date : 2024-10-19 16:53:00
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