Cuba's national power grid collapses after largest plant failure amid ongoing energy crisis

Cuba's national electrical system collapsed early on Wednesday morning (Dec 4) after the country's largest power plant failed, the government said, the latest of several such failures as the island's grid falls into disarray amid fuel shortages, natural disaster and economic crisis.

Authorities are addressing operational issues at the Matanzas power plant with full recovery expected by Thursday (Dec 5) according to Vicente de la O, the country's Energy and Mines Minister.

Also read | Tiny island nation ranked 'safest' for travel in 2025. Check out other countries on the list

Cuba's oil-fired power plants, already obsolete and struggling to keep the lights on, reached a full crisis this year as oil imports from Venezuela, Russia and Mexico dwindled, contributing to multiple nationwide blackouts over two months.

Also read | Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific apologises, removes Family Guy episode over Tiananmen Square reference

Work and educational activities were suspended during the contingency, except for basic service providers, said Work and Social Security Minister Marta Elena Feito.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.