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Cuba restoring power again after multiple grid failures

Cuba's powergrid operator said it had brought back electricity to parts of the capital Havana on Monday following a 4th major grid failure in 2 days, while Hurricane Oscar lashed the island's eastern end.

Strong winds and heavy rain uprooted trees and spread downed power lines in locations, making complex recovery efforts.

Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated service technicians were working thoroughly to prevent another electrical collapse offered complex scenarios.

The last thing we desire is that, as an effect of a. fallen power line, we suffer another collapse of the system, de. la O Levy said.

Cuban energy officials said they were offering to the grid. around 700 megawatts, or one-fourth of a normal day's need,. by mid-morning. Authorities said they had restored power to 56%. of Havana by midday.

Authorities stated they had actually also restored electricity to parts. of some removed provinces on the Caribbean's largest island.

Cuba's Communist-run federal government closed schools and. non-essential industry through Wednesday as work continued. Cuba's national electrical grid first crashed on Friday, before. Oscar's arrival, after the island's biggest power plant shut. down, leaving 10 million people without electricity. The grid has totally or partly failed 3 times since,. underscoring the precarious state of the nation's. facilities and putting on edge numerous Cubans, who already. struggle with alarming shortages of food, fuel and medicine. Havana was mostly peaceful overnight with the whole city in. blackout. But a Reuters witness saw several spread demonstrations. in poor, far-flung areas, along with residents banging. pots in frustration over the blackouts and food and water. scarcities. President Miguel Diaz-Canel spoke with the country on nationwide. television late on Sunday, telling Cubans to air their. complaints with discipline and civility.

We are not going to accept nor allow anyone to act with. vandalism and much less to change the tranquility of our people,. Diaz-Canel stated.

Cubans have for months withstood prolonged blackouts of 10 to. 20 hours a day throughout much of the country, ruining precious. food stocks and complicating access to fuel and water.

The government and independent specialists say the grid, long. near collapse, has actually reached a crucial point as outdated. infrastructure degrades and fuel runs brief. Cuba blames the U.S. trade embargo, in addition to sanctions. set up by previous President Donald Trump for difficulties in. acquiring fuel and spare parts to operate and maintain its. oil-fired plants.

The U.S. has rejected any function in the grid failures.

Cuban allies Russia, Mexico and Venezuela have all slashed. exports to the island in recent months.

(source: Reuters)