Jakarta, ThedailyID — Cuba suffered its sixth nationwide power outage of 2026 after severe fuel shortages disrupted the country’s electricity system, state utility Union Electrica de Cuba (UNE) announced on Sunday.
“Total power outage has occurred across the national electricity system,” UNE said in a post on X. The utility added that authorities would continue providing updates as restoration efforts progressed.
Although electricity began returning on Monday, large parts of the country remained without power.
Typically, authorities restore electricity in stages. They first establish isolated microgrids to supply hospitals, water systems, and food facilities. Afterward, they reconnect the national grid, according to Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, UNE said technicians continued working to stabilize the system. The utility also confirmed that two generating units at the Energas power plant in Boca de Jaruco were reconnecting to the national grid.
By Monday morning, officials said electricity had returned to about 23 percent of Havana.
However, power shortages have become increasingly common across Cuba. In July alone, the island experienced three nationwide blackouts within nine days. One outage left around 10 million people without electricity.
According to the Cuban government, the country’s aging power infrastructure continues to struggle with chronic fuel shortages and outdated equipment. Officials also blame long-standing U.S. sanctions for restricting fuel supplies, financing, and access to replacement equipment.
Many residents now receive electricity for only a few hours each day. The repeated outages have continued to disrupt daily life across the island.
