Cuba says working to restore power after big blackout

Havana: Cuban authorities said Thursday they made progress toward restoring power to end a blackout that hit two thirds of the beleaguered communist n...

Havana: Cuban authorities said Thursday they made progress toward restoring power to end a blackout that hit two-thirds of the beleaguered communist nation.

The grid that failed Wednesday and left Havana and much of the country without electricity has now been reconnected nationwide and people should gradually see the power come back on, the energy ministry said.

“As of 5:01 this morning the national electrical system is reconnected,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said more generation units are being brought back on line so people will have power again. Several areas of Havana did in fact have electricity Thursday morning, AFP observed.

Cuba's electricity generation system is in shambles. Daily power outputs of up to 20 hours are the norm in parts of the island, which lack the fuel needed to generate power.