Millions without power in Cuba as electrical grid collapses again

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-19T13:06:05.737Z • Permanent link

Cuba's energy woes have been a persistent issue, with millions of citizens left without power for extended periods. This latest blackout marks the seventh significant outage of the year, leaving many wondering when the island nation will regain reliable electricity. Cuba's aging thermoelectric plants, built decades ago, are no match for the demands of a growing population. According to the Cuban Ministry of Energy, the country's power grid is facing a critical shortage of maintenance personnel, equipment, and resources. Inspectors from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have been working closely with the Cuban government to identify areas for improvement and provide technical assistance.

Engineers from the US-based company, Siemens, have been on the ground since 2019, helping to upgrade Cuba's power grid with modern technology. The project, worth over $100 million, aims to increase the country's electricity generation capacity by 20%. However, despite these efforts, the grid remains fragile, prone to frequent outages. Last year, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $20 million in funding to support the Cuban government's efforts to upgrade its power infrastructure. However, the pace of progress has been slow, and the situation continues to deteriorate.

Luis Manuel Rodríguez, Cuba's Minister of Energy, has acknowledged the challenges facing the country's power grid. In a recent interview with Cuban state television, Rodríguez emphasized the need for investment and modernization to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. "We are doing everything in our power to address the crisis, but it requires international cooperation and support," he said. Despite these efforts, the outlook for Cuba's power grid remains uncertain, and the country's citizens continue to suffer the consequences.

The collapse of Cuba's power grid has significant implications for companies operating in the region. Several major energy providers, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, have invested heavily in Cuba's energy sector, with many of their facilities located in areas prone to outages. Researchers at the University of Havana's Center for Energy Studies have warned that the frequent power cuts are having a devastating impact on the country's economy, with losses estimated at over $1 billion per year. As a result, investors are increasingly wary of investing in Cuba's energy sector, and the country's energy crisis is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

The impact of Cuba's power grid collapse is also being felt in the research community. Scientists at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science have been studying the effects of power outages on the country's marine ecosystem. Their research has shown that the frequent blackouts are having a devastating impact on Cuba's coral reefs, with many species unable to survive the lack of oxygen and nutrients. The study's lead author, Dr. Maria Rodriguez, warned that the country's energy crisis is having a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem. "We are seeing a decline in marine biodiversity, and it's a major concern for us," she said.

Cuba's energy crisis is part of a broader pattern of underinvestment in the country's infrastructure. The Cuban government has been struggling to maintain its aging power grid, water treatment plants, and transportation networks, all of which are in desperate need of repair. The US embargo on Cuba, which was imposed in 1960, has also limited the country's access to foreign investment and technology. In contrast, neighboring countries such as Venezuela and Nicaragua have made significant strides in modernizing their energy sectors, with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez regime investing heavily in oil and gas production.