Cuba Restores Power Grid After Total Blackout

The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines announced this Thursday that the National Electro-Energetic System (SEN) has been successfully synchronized after a total collapse earlier this week. However, authorities warned that this does not mark the end of power outages, which will continue to affect more than half of the country during peak hours.

The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported that severe limitations in thermal generation persist due to mechanical failures in key units, such as the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Plant, and a critical lack of fuel (fuel oil and diesel) to power floating power plants and generator groups.

A Temporary Relief Amid the Darkness

Although “point zero” has been bypassed, the situation remains dire. In provinces like Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Camagüey, residents report blackouts lasting more than 18 hours per day. The government attributes the crisis to the U.S. embargo, while independent experts point to a lack of investment in maintenance and an excessive dependence on imported fuels.

The grid’s instability has triggered small but notable protests in peripheral neighborhoods, where communities struggle to preserve their scarce refrigerated food and maintain water supplies, which depend on electric pumps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are the power outages in Cuba over?
No. Even though the grid is synchronized, generation capacity remains significantly lower than demand, necessitating daily scheduled power cuts.

2. What caused the most recent system collapse?
An unforeseen shutdown of the Felton Thermal Plant combined with a critical fuel shortage for auxiliary plants.

3. Which areas of Cuba are most affected?
Inland provinces typically experience longer outages than Havana, though the capital is no longer exempt from rotations.

4. What solutions is the Cuban government proposing?
Long-term investments in solar energy, although the lack of foreign currency has significantly slowed these projects.

Sources and Related Content

• Cuba restored the national grid but the energy crisis continues to affect the population - Infobae
• Crisis in Cuba: Electricity generation deficit worsens - CiberCuba
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• Protests in Morón over power outages and fires