Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz announced on Wednesday that the government has a well-defined plan to tackle the complete failure of the National Electric System (SEN). This failure occurred unexpectedly in the morning following the sudden shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas. Although the government didn't have a plan to prevent the collapse, Marrero emphasized that they are prepared to address it.
"We have a clear strategy to handle this situation and rely on the expertise of the UNE workers to restore the system as quickly as possible," Marrero stated on his social media profile on X. He assured the public that updates on the recovery process will be provided, though this does not guarantee swift or effective action.
Marrero, one of the few officials to address the issue directly, confirmed from the National Load Dispatch Center that he is collaborating with technical experts and electrical sector leaders to assess the collapse's causes and oversee recovery efforts personally. Prior to this, Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) had reported Marrero's presence at the Load Dispatch Center on Facebook, highlighting his discussions with the General Director of UNE about the unforeseen SEN disconnection.
The statement noted that joint actions with the country's top authorities are being taken to restore the system. Meanwhile, as Cuba endures another widespread blackout, millions of citizens face the direct consequences: food spoilage risks, interruptions in essential services, and a population weary from the chronic energy instability disrupting daily life.
In contrast to addressing the blackout, President Miguel Díaz-Canel focused on international issues, posting on X about the ongoing violence in Gaza. His post questioned whether the world is becoming desensitized to such atrocities. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also commented on X, stating that "the Party and Government continue to monitor the situation" regarding the national blackout.
However, for the millions of Cubans suffering from the energy crisis, monitoring is not enough—they demand urgent and real solutions to ensure electrical stability and ease their daily uncertainty. Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the PCC in Santiago de Cuba, announced on X that measures are already underway in the province to address the National Electric System’s disconnection that occurred on September 10th.
This marks the second massive blackout in Cuba this year, with the previous one occurring in March. Just last Sunday, a partial blackout resulted in a total service cut in the eastern part of the country due to severe system disruptions.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Crisis
What caused the recent blackout in Cuba?
The recent blackout was triggered by the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas, causing a complete failure of the National Electric System.
How is the Cuban government addressing the blackout?
The government claims to have a well-defined strategy to tackle the blackout and is working with UNE professionals to restore the system as quickly as possible.
Are there any long-term solutions being proposed for Cuba's energy issues?
As of now, the focus is on immediate recovery, but there is a pressing need for long-term strategies to ensure stable and reliable energy supplies in Cuba.