Cuba has reported the restoration of its electrical grid following a partial collapse that plunged Havana and parts of western Cuba into darkness. Energy officials stated that a key transmission line linking Havana to the country’s largest power plant in Matanzas failed in the early hours of the morning but that power had been reinstated to approximately 40% of the capital by midday.

Several western provinces, including Pinar del Rio and Mayabeque, experienced power outages, but all were swiftly reconnected to the grid. Prior to this incident, Cuba was already grappling with daily blackouts lasting up to 20 hours. Havana, previously sheltered from severe outages, now faces around 10 hours without electricity each day.

Authorities cautioned that despite repairs to transmission lines, a deficit in power generation, meeting only two-thirds of demand, would lead to ongoing regular blackouts. Havana’s skyline was dim before sunrise, with limited establishments such as hotels and hospitals illuminated by generators. Communication services were sporadic, and street lights were off.

The nation’s oil-based power plants, which were already struggling to function efficiently, faced a crisis last year due to dwindling oil imports from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico. Cuba’s power grid has faced multiple collapses, attributed to fuel shortages, aged infrastructure, and damage from events like Hurricane Melissa.

Sanctions from the U.S. and a deep economic downturn have hindered the Cuban government’s ability to procure sufficient fuel, compelling reliance on allies. Crude and fuel imports have dropped significantly this year compared to the previous year, as Mexico and Venezuela reduced supplies.