In the early hours of Monday, Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) announced the full restoration of electricity in Eastern Cuba following a widespread outage that lasted over six hours. According to an official statement on social media from the state-run utility, the electrical system was fully reconnected by 1:25 a.m. after collapsing on the night of Sunday, September 7.
The blackout, which impacted provinces from Las Tunas to Guantánamo, began at 7:37 p.m. when the 220 kV Nuevitas-Tunas line tripped, leading to a complete disconnection of the eastern grid. As a result, millions were left without power, spurring spontaneous protests in cities like Santiago de Cuba, where residents took to banging pots and pans to demand the return of electricity.
Throughout the night, UNE's technical teams worked to gradually reconnect the system. Power was initially restored to Las Tunas and Camagüey, followed by Holguín, and eventually Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. Simultaneously, issues were reported at the Mariel thermoelectric plant in the west, where unit 6 went offline, with plans for its return to service in the coming hours.
This electrical failure occurs amid a chronic power generation deficit exceeding 1,700 MW, causing daily blackouts lasting between 8 and 16 hours for Cubans. UNE has not detailed the precise cause of the transmission line trip, though official sources have attributed it to adverse weather conditions in the area.
Despite the restoration of service across the east, public frustration and skepticism remain high as the nation's electrical infrastructure continues to face crisis levels of vulnerability and is prone to further breakdowns.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Challenges
What caused the blackout in Eastern Cuba?
The blackout was caused by the tripping of the 220 kV Nuevitas-Tunas line, which resulted in a total disconnection of the eastern electrical grid. The exact cause of the trip is unclear, but adverse weather conditions have been cited as a potential factor.
How long did the power outage last?
The power outage in Eastern Cuba lasted over six hours, with electricity being fully restored by 1:25 a.m. after the collapse occurred at 7:37 p.m. the previous evening.
What was the public reaction to the blackout?
The public reaction included spontaneous protests in various cities, notably Santiago de Cuba, where residents expressed their frustration by banging pots and pans to demand the restoration of electrical service.
What is the current state of Cuba's power infrastructure?
Cuba's power infrastructure is currently in a state of crisis, marked by a chronic generation deficit that regularly surpasses 1,700 MW. This has resulted in frequent and prolonged blackouts across the country.