Power crisis continues in Cuba for the third day, blackout across the country; warning issued for Hurricane Oscar:

Havana: The Latin American country Cuba is going through a severe power crisis these days. Cuba's main energy plant Antonio Guitarras power plant malfunctioned due to which millions of Cubans are facing nationwide blackout for the third day. According to Reuters, even after more than 24 hours, the problem is still the same. Although the grid has been repaired three times, the failure is occurring again and again.

the problem will be fixed soon

On 19 October 2024, a nationwide blackout hit Havana as people were seen using car lights to carry out their daily chores for the second day. According to Cuba's Energy Ministry, the electric grid shutdown caused the Antonio Guiteras power plant, one of the island's main power plants, to crash, causing a blackout in the country, the ministry said, adding that the problem would be fixed soon.

Cuba's top electricity official, Lazaro Guerra, said grid operator UNE was working to restart several power plants and add enough capacity to the system to restore power to large parts of the country. Guerra said technicians were working to resolve the problem, but he gave no timeline for when power would be restored to the region.

Children's holidays had to be cancelled

Cuba's power grid failed for the first time Friday afternoon, knocking out one of the country's three power plants. Even before the grid collapsed, power shortages on Friday forced the communist government to send non-essential government workers home and give children a school holiday.

However, on Friday evening, lights were seen in some parts of the island, raising hopes that power would be restored. But by Sunday the grid failed once again and millions of people were plunged into darkness. At the same time, Cuba's top power official Lazaro Guerra said in a TV news broadcast that I cannot assure you when we will be able to restore the system.

Hurricane Oscar has reached Cuba

The US National Hurricane Center said that heavy rains and strong winds are expected in northeastern parts of Cuba in the coming days due to Hurricane Oscar north of the Dominican Republic. At the same time, officials are worried that Hurricane Oscar reached northeastern Cuba on Sunday morning, threatening the government's plan to restore power. The Cuban Meteorological Survey warned of extremely dangerous conditions in eastern Cuba. At the same time, the United States on Friday denied any role in Cuba's grid collapse.

Fuel crisis could create problems

Cuban officials have said the power crisis will continue even if the immediate grid collapse is resolved. Cuba itself produces little crude oil, and fuel supplies to the island have fallen sharply this year as Venezuela, Russia and Mexico, once important suppliers, have reduced their exports to Cuba. Venezuela has cut its subsidized fuel supply to Cuba by half this year, forcing the island to seek more expensive oil on the spot market.