A citizen walks along a street at night during a nationwide blackout in Havana, capital of Cuba, Sept. 18, 2026. Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout on Friday after its national power grid completely collapsed, state utility Union Electrica (UNE) said. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
HAVANA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout on Friday after its national power grid completely collapsed, state utility Union Electrica (UNE) said.
UNE said the cause was under investigation and procedures to restore power were underway. Power outages had earlier been reported across western Cuba, from Pinar del Rio to Matanzas.
Cuba has suffered repeated nationwide blackouts since October 2024, amid fuel shortages and problems with its aging power infrastructure.
The energy crisis has worsened since the United States tightened oil restrictions on Cuba in January 2026. Cuba has received only one major shipment of Russian crude, about 100,000 metric tons, since then. ■
People buy food at a deli equipped with an electric generator during a nationwide blackout in Havana, capital of Cuba, Sept. 18, 2026. Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout on Friday after its national power grid completely collapsed, state utility Union Electrica (UNE) said. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
A vehicle drives on a road during a nationwide blackout in Havana, capital of Cuba, Sept. 18, 2026. Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout on Friday after its national power grid completely collapsed, state utility Union Electrica (UNE) said. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)
A citizen walks along a street at night during a nationwide blackout in Havana, capital of Cuba, Sept. 18, 2026. Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout on Friday after its national power grid completely collapsed, state utility Union Electrica (UNE) said. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)