Cuba is once again plunged into total darkness following a massive collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) this Sunday. This marks the second total disconnection event in less than seven days, a situation that the state-run Electric Union (UNE) has described as “critical.”

Sunday’s Collapse

The total disconnection occurred at 18:32 local time, affecting more than 10 million people. According to preliminary reports from the UNE, a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant—the country’s energy heart—triggered a domino effect that ultimately brought down the entire national grid.

This new blackout comes at a time of extreme social tension. Cubans were only beginning to recover from a similar collapse last Tuesday, which kept large parts of the country without electricity for more than 48 hours.

Causes of the Systemic Crisis

Cuba’s energy infrastructure faces three fundamental problems:

Fuel Shortage: International sanctions and a lack of foreign currency have made it difficult for oil shipments to arrive from traditional allies like Russia and Mexico.
Obsolete Power Plants: Most thermoelectric plants are over 40 years old and require maintenance that the government has been unable to fund.
External Blockade: The Cuban government points to the U.S. embargo as the primary obstacle to acquiring spare parts and financing the modernization of the system.

Impact on the Population

In cities such as Santiago de Cuba and Holguín, rotating blackouts were already reaching 18 to 20 hours a day before this total collapse. The lack of electrical power paralyzes not only lighting but also water supply, food refrigeration, and communications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What time did the national blackout occur? The system collapsed completely at 18:32 local time on Sunday, March 22nd.

Which plants were affected? The main failure originated at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas, causing the entire grid to fail.

When will electricity be restored? The UNE has not provided an estimated time, stating that the restart process is complex and requires stability in regional microsystems.

Is this the first total blackout of 2026? No, it is the second total collapse in less than a week and the fourth major disconnection event reported so far this year.

How we got here

Background

The first thing we published on this topic.

Feb 10, 2026

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