Electricity is being "gradually" restored to Cuba today as the government started investigating the cause of a third national blackout since November.
The power system's collapse on Monday follows the government's report last week that it is discussing with the US a solution to their differences that have led to a suspension of the island's oil imports for the past three months, weakening an already troubled power sector.
Power was restored to about 30pc of the island by early Tuesday, state power utility UNE said.
"But the system is still unstable, with frequent brownouts that suggest the recovery could take some days," a Caribbean diplomat in Havana told Argus.
"About 40pc of electricity has been restored to the capital Havana this morning, but much less is back in other parts of the island," the diplomat said.
Power output from solar systems and plants burning local crude and natural gas is projected to reach 1220MW by the end of Tuesday, 1930MW less than demand, UNE forecast.
The restoration of power "must be done gradually to avoid setbacks," the island's energy ministry said. "The system is very weak and could suffer more failures."
Circuits that have been restored could fail again, the government warned Tuesday.
Power cuts caused by breakdowns at the island's aging generators have become more frequent as UNE implemented scheduled plant shutdowns because of limited fuel.
The latest blackouts are not related to US president Donald Trump's 30 January executive order imposing tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Cuba.
The reduced access to imported crude and products, mostly from Venezuela and Mexico, led the island's government to implement emergency plans such as the rationing of some fuels, including diesel and kerosene.
The administration has reduced operations at government offices and at state-run businesses and curtailed operations at hospitals and reduced school hours.
Motorists are forced to wait for hours in long lines at petrol stations, and their purchases are rationed.
The island's tourism — traditionally a main source of foreign currency — has also been affected by the closure of many resorts because of a lack of fuel.
International airlines flying to the island have reduced their schedules because of the jet fuel shortage on the island.
The island's government delivered a lukewarm reaction to a US plan announced 1 March to ease the growing energy crisis by allowing the resale of Venezuelan oil to the private sector.
