Following a nationwide blackout that left millions without electricity for several hours in Cuba, authorities have announced that the power grid has been restored. The blackout, the third of its severity in less than two months, occurred due to a breakdown at a thermoelectric plant in Matanzas province, east of Havana, triggering a chain reaction that overwhelmed the power system.
Classes and work activities gradually returned to normal on Thursday as the power was restored. However, Cuban authorities have stated that scheduled power outages will resume. These outages will continue to be implemented daily, with five-hour power cuts by block or zone, a practice that has been ongoing for the past few months.
Previously, on October 18, the island experienced a significant blackout compounded by the passage of Hurricane Oscar, resulting in days without electricity. Subsequently, Hurricane Rafael's strong winds caused another system-wide blackout, disconnecting the national energy system once again.
Cuba's power grid has been facing frequent outages in recent months, with over half of the country experiencing power cuts during peak hours. The primary causes of these outages are fuel shortages and aging infrastructure. Electricity is essential for cooking and water pumping in many parts of the island.
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