AP PHOTOS: Cuba’s energy crisis forces families to find ingenious solutions to get by

Edinector Vazquez prepares coffee on a charcoal stove behind his home during a blackout in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Edinector Vazquez prepares coffee on a charcoal stove behind his home during a blackout in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

HAVANA (AP) — For countless families in Cuba, the question is no longer if the power will go out, but when. Constant power outages, coupled with gas shortages, are forcing many to implement ingenious alternatives to sustain daily life as the island undergoes its most severe energy crisis in decades.

Electricity cuts have intensified in recent weeks due to persistent fuel shortages at power plants and aging infrastructure. With summer’s rising demand approaching and no apparent solution in sight, Cubans face a grim outlook.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

People sit in the cool evening air outside their homes during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People sit in the cool evening air outside their homes during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Angel Rodriguez uses a transformer from an old television to charge a battery in preparation for blackouts at his home in the Bahia neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Angel Rodriguez uses a transformer from an old television to charge a battery in preparation for blackouts at his home in the Bahia neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People pass the time in the street during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People pass the time in the street during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Married couple Angel Rodriguez and Marylin Alvarez set up a motorcycle battery to power a laptop screen to watch television, as they stay prepared for blackouts in the Bahia neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Married couple Angel Rodriguez and Marylin Alvarez set up a motorcycle battery to power a laptop screen to watch television, as they stay prepared for blackouts in the Bahia neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People wait at a bus stop lit by a motorcycle's headlights during a partial power outage in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People wait at a bus stop lit by a motorcycle’s headlights during a partial power outage in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Edinector Vazquez stokes a coal fire as he makes coffee during a blackout in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Edinector Vazquez stokes a coal fire as he makes coffee during a blackout in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People wait to refill their cooking gas canisters in Alamar, Havana province, Cuba, late Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People wait to refill their cooking gas canisters in Alamar, Havana province, Cuba, late Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Blacksmith Edinector Vazquez builds a charcoal cooking stove to sell to residents looking to cook during blackouts in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Blacksmith Edinector Vazquez builds a charcoal cooking stove to sell to residents looking to cook during blackouts in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People use a flashlight on their porch during a blackout in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People use a flashlight on their porch during a blackout in La Gallega, Havana province, Cuba, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Edinector Vazquez prepares to eat dinner at his home lit by a gas lamp during a blackout in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Edinector Vazquez prepares to eat dinner at his home lit by a gas lamp during a blackout in Minas, Havana province, Cuba, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People walk in the dark during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

People walk in the dark during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)