Millions in Cuba Left in the Dark After Power Plant Failure

Large parts of Cuba were plunged into darkness on Wednesday after a failure at the country’s largest power plant knocked out electricity for millions, even as the island struggles with limited fuel supplies.

The outage was triggered by a malfunction at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, Cuba’s biggest power‑generating facility. The shutdown caused a collapse in the national electrical system, cutting power to about two‑thirds of the country, including the capital.

In some areas, the blackout was so severe that state television briefly went off the air before returning later with a delayed broadcast.

Authorities said the plant failed after a leak in its boiler system forced an emergency shutdown. Engineers are working to repair the damage, but officials warn it could take several days before the plant is fully back online, according to AP News.

The blackout comes amid Cuba’s worsening energy crisis, driven by ageing power plants and chronic fuel shortages. The situation has deteriorated further in recent months following reduced oil shipments from Venezuela, a decline linked to the U.S. blockade that has restricted Cuba’s access to fuel and equipment.

The shortages have forced the government to ration services such as public transportation and waste collection, adding to the strain on daily life.