Western Cuba faces blackout as government seeks to update energy grid

Al JazeeraEN 4 min read 100% complete by Allison GrinerDecember 3, 2025 at 08:40 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

On December 3, 2025, western Cuba, including Havana, experienced a widespread blackout that lasted for several hours. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported the outage began around 5 am local time and power was fully restored by 1:26 pm. Millions of residents were affected across provinces from Pinar del Rio to Mayabeque. The government cited ongoing restoration efforts and acknowledged the public's frustration. Power outages have become increasingly common in Cuba due to its aging electrical grid, reliance on fossil fuels, and infrastructure dating back to the Cold War era. In response, Cuba has begun investing in renewable energy sources, including a deal with China to build solar farms by 2028.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Manuel Marrero Cruz 50% Pinar del Rio 60% Havana ×270% Cuba ×980%

Keywords

blackout 100% cuba 90% power outage 90% energy grid 80% electrical failures 70% ageing infrastructure 70% renewable energy 60% havana 60% protests 50% fossil fuels 50%