- Cuba extends shutdowns amid power blackouts and Hurricane damage
- The shutdown will only exempt vital services like hospitals
- The energy grid still faces a 30% shortfall during peak hours
Cuba extends shutdowns amid power blackouts and Hurricane damage
Cuba has extended the closure of all non-essential workplaces and schools through Sunday due to a severe power shortage and the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar. The shutdown will only exempt vital services like hospitals, as the government works to restore electricity.
The island lost power last Friday when its largest power plant failed, collapsing the entire grid. The situation worsened over the weekend as Hurricane Oscar hit, flooding areas and damaging power lines, resulting in at least seven deaths.
While power has been restored to 70% of the country, many regions outside Havana remain without electricity. The energy grid still faces a 30% shortfall during peak hours.