Cuba’s power grid collapsed again early Saturday morning, state media reported, plunging the entire country into darkness for a second time, hours after authorities announced they had begun restoration services.

CubaDebate, one of the island’s state media, reported that the company that operates the UNE network announced at 06.15 am local time the “complete disconnection of the national electric-energy system”.

“Cuban Electric Union is working to restore it,” the short message noted.

Cuba’s power grid went down for the first time yesterday around noon local time after one of the country’s largest power plants shut down, leaving more than 10 million people without power.

Even before the grid collapse, a power outage yesterday forced the Cuban government to send home non-essential civil servants and cancel school classes.

However, lights began flickering on the island early Friday night, raising hopes that power would be restored.

The operating company has not provided details about what caused the grid to collapse today or how long it will take to restore power.

Cuba’s government says the worsening blackouts that have hit the country for weeks, often lasting 10 to 20 hours a day, are due to crumbling infrastructure, fuel shortages and rising demand.