Haiti Faces Ongoing Power Crisis as Blackout Enters 62nd Day
Haiti’s capital has now experienced its 62nd consecutive day without electricity, deepening daily life paralysis, escalating insecurity, and igniting growing outrage against the Presidential Transitional Council and the administration of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The outages, which began on June 17, highlight a larger governance and infrastructure breakdown in the country, reports 24brussels.
The state utility, Electricité d’Haïti (EDH), confirmed that the electrical failure was caused by the sabotage of five high-voltage transmission towers, necessitating comprehensive repairs and logistical efforts. This damage is described as “deliberate and strategic,” indicating attempts to destabilize the capital and erode public trust in the transitional authorities.
As the blackout continues, unrest has surged in Mirebalais, where residents recently occupied the Péligre hydroelectric plant for the second time in two months. Protesters are demanding government action to enhance security in a region beleaguered by gang violence and lawlessness. The takeover of Péligre, Haiti’s largest hydroelectric facility, significantly curtails power to Port-au-Prince and its adjacent areas.
The initial blockade of Péligre, which persisted from May 12 to June 25, ended with promises from the Transitional Council to address the protesters’ grievances. However, in the absence of any follow-through, residents returned to seize the plant on June 17, threatening further blackouts unless their requests were met. Consequently, the capital remains in darkness.
On August 7, businessman and political figure Laurent Saint-Cyr assumed the presidency of the Presidential Transitional Council, succeeding Fritz Alphonse Jean. Despite his commitment to restoring order and preparing for elections, he failed to mention the ongoing electricity crisis in his inaugural address, prompting criticism from civil society organizations and local media.
In response to the prolonged blackout, EDH has activated thermal power plants to deliver electricity to select neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. Nevertheless, fuel shortages, seasonal flooding, and gang control over transit routes have severely hindered these efforts, making reliable service nearly impossible. As a result, most of the capital continues to suffer from power deprivation, affecting hospitals, schools, and water supply systems.
This extended outage has intensified Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, with residents reporting increased food spoilage, limited access to clean water, and heightened nighttime insecurity. Local NGOs note that the absence of street lighting has emboldened criminal organizations, leading to a surge in robberies, kidnappings, and sexual violence across various districts.
The blackout also accentuates the fragility of Haiti’s energy infrastructure, which relies heavily on imported fuel and aging power facilities. Experts caution that without significant investment and reform, the nation will remain susceptible to sabotage and systemic failure. EDH has called for “national solidarity” and committed to working “tirelessly” to restore service, though no timeline has been established.
Additionally, the government has declared a three-month state of emergency in the departments of Ouest, Artibonite, and Centre to combat gang violence and restore public order. Critics contend that without electrical service, security measures and essential governance remain significantly compromised. As Port-au-Prince enters its third month beset by darkness, many question whether the transitional government can effectively navigate the crisis or merely manage the ongoing decline.
