Cuba slowly begins to restore power after Hurricane Ian knocks out grid

FILE PHOTO: A downed pole is seen on the street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian's passage through Pinar del Rio, Cuba, September 27, 2022. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters) - Cuba had slowly begun to restore power across the eastern end of the island, the state electricity provider said early on Wednesday, after Hurricane Ian caused the country's grid to collapse, turning off the lights for more than 11 million people.

Cuba's already frail grid, largely dependent on antiquated, Soviet-era oil-fired generation plants, had been faltering for months ahead of the storm. But officials said Hurricane Ian had proven too much, knocking out power even in far eastern Cuba, which was largely unaffected by the storm.