Cuba plunged into 3rd nationwide blackout in 2 weeks as fuel runs low

HAVANA (AP) 鈥� suffered another blackout of the National Electric System, or SEN, on Tuesday, leaving the entire country without power, officials said. It was the third such incident in two weeks as a U.S. oil embargo stresses the island鈥檚 grid.

Fuel has been running out across Cuba since January, when U.S. President Donald Trump on any country that sells or provides oil to the island, deepening the island鈥檚 ongoing economic and financial crisis. Public transportation has largely been halted, and officials have

Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it needs. A solution for fuel imports is not yet in sight.

The state-owned Electric Union reported that a problem with a generating unit in the eastern province of Holgu铆n caused 鈥渁 sudden frequency change,鈥� resulting in the SEN blackout around midday.

Both the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Electric Union indicated that 鈥減rotocols for its restoration have been activated,鈥� meaning that 鈥渕icro-islands鈥� are being established and then interconnected to provide power to priority locations, such as hospitals and food processing plants.

By the afternoon, some parts of the capital Havana had power restored, The Associated Press confirmed, while authorities indicated that 4% of the city had received electricity. The provinces of Guant谩namo and Cienfuegos reported that they had begun distributing power to their hospitals, and Matanzas confirmed that power had been restored to the city鈥檚 historic center.

Last week, two nationwide blackouts 鈥� on Monday and Friday 鈥� adding to two others in March, as well as several regional outages.

The blackouts have a significant impact on the population and, combined with the energy embargo, have led to transportation limitations, reduced work hours and flight cancellations, in addition to serious public health consequences.

The power outages also affect basic activities such as cooking, water supply, and internet and telephone service.

On the streets of Havana, the blackout didn鈥檛 surprise residents.

鈥淭hese blackouts are normal in Cuba now. If something else happened, it would be strange,鈥� said Roberto Liana, 69, a retail store clerk.

Meanwhile, many were trying to adapt to the circumstances, like Sayli Aguilera, 25, a mother of two. 鈥淲e鈥檙e improvising and doing what we can,鈥� she said.

Many families have installed solar backup systems such as panels and portable batteries, and the main mode of transportation for the population consists of electric motorcycles and tricycles equipped with photovoltaic power.

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