![\"Reuters](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/77e2\/live\/ecff2420-8d87-11ef-9e59-cb2545fca64d.jpg.webp\")
Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nCuba experienced a nationwide blackout after its main energy plant failed, officials said.<\/p>\n Its power grid collapsed at around 11:00 (15:00 GMT), the energy ministry wrote on X.<\/a><\/p>\n Grid officials said they did not know how long it would take to restore power.<\/p>\n This follows months of lengthy blackouts on the island – prompting the prime minister to declare an “energy emergency” on Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Friday’s total blackout came after the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas – the largest on the island – went offline.<\/p>\n President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel Berm\u00fadez said the situation was his “absolute priority”.<\/p>\n “There will be no rest until power is restored,” he wrote on X.<\/a><\/p>\n Earlier on Friday, officials announced that all schools and nonessential activities, including nightclubs, were to close until Monday.<\/p>\n Non-essential workers were urged to stay home to safeguard electricity supply, and non-vital government services were suspended.<\/p>\n Cubans have also been urged to switch off high-consumption appliances during peak hours, such as fridges and ovens, according to local media.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Prime Minister Manuel Marrero addressed the public in a televised message on Thursday, blaming deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages and rising demand for the electricity failures.<\/p>\n “The fuel shortage is the biggest factor,” he said.<\/p>\n The head of the National Electric Union (UNE) Alfredo L\u00f3pez Vald\u00e9s also acknowledged the island had been facing a challenging energy situation, with shortages chiefly to blame.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Extended blackouts – particularly one this widespread – are always a tense time in Cuba.<\/p>\n In part, because the ability to keep the lights on represents a potential public order issue for the Cuban Government. <\/p>\n In July 2021, thousands of protesters spilled into the streets in demonstrations sparked by days-long blackouts in much of the country. <\/p>\n The desperation caused by precious food stuffs going to waste in warm fridges and freezers was exacerbated by citizens going for days with no air-conditioning or ceiling fans in the island’s stifling heat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In many buildings, electric pumps bring water to the taps, so no power also meant no water. <\/p>\n Furthermore, no petrol at the pumps mean that people can’t work or use their cars to solve basic problems or tend to urgent needs.<\/p>\n The Cuban Government has becoming increasingly aware that many on the island have lost a degree of fear over speaking out about the many daily problems they face on the island. <\/p>\n Some are even prepared to take to the streets and chant anti-government slogans, if conditions merit it.<\/p>\n In March, Hundreds of people in Cuba’s second-largest city, Santiago, staged a rare public protest over chronic power blackouts and food shortages<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Reuters](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/f6bd\/live\/25124e00-8d88-11ef-9e59-cb2545fca64d.jpg.webp\")
Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8178\/live\/233fdb20-8d8c-11ef-9e59-cb2545fca64d.jpg.webp\")
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