Cuba fails to restore electricity for the third time

Cuba nationwide blackout.

Late on October 19 (local time), Cuba continued to make efforts to restore electricity for the third time but was unsuccessful, according to Reuters.

Cuba's national power grid went down around noon on October 18. By early evening, Cuban authorities announced that the power system had been partially restored, but then the grid went down again. As of 10:25 p.m. on October 19, Cuba's national power grid was completely disconnected again, according to the Havana Electricity Company.

About 10 million Cubans have been without power since October 18.

The power company later deleted the notice, but as of the morning of October 20, millions of Cubans were still without electricity.

Cuba's energy ministry said shortly after the utility's announcement that it was working to restore service, although the process was complicated. It also said that "another disconnection" occurred in the "western subsystem," which includes the capital Havana.

Internet traffic plummeted in Cuba on October 19, as widespread power outages left most island residents with little access to charging phones and internet, according to data from internet monitoring group NetBlocks.

Even before the grid went down, Cuba was already experiencing severe power shortages. Non-essential government workers were sent home and some schools were forced to cancel classes to conserve fuel. Some areas were without power for 10 to 20 hours a day.

The Cuban government says the power shortages are due to deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages and rising demand. In addition, the US trade embargo has made it difficult for the country to obtain fuel and spare parts to operate and maintain its power plants. The US denies any role in Cuba's power grid problems.

Cuba's electricity industry confirmed it does not know how long it will take to restore power service.

Phuong Anh (Source: Reuters)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cuba-lan-thu-3-khong-khoi-phuc-duoc-dien-ar902839.html