On Wednesday, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz called for public trust after the sudden failure of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas led to a collapse of the National Electric System (SEN). "I'm fully convinced that efforts will be made intensely to provide a swift response. Instructions have been given... A big hug and trust that we're doing everything possible and impossible to restore service as soon as possible," Marrero expressed. His remarks were broadcast on National Television, yet he did not offer concrete details regarding the extent of the damage or a recovery timeline.
On Thursday, the prime minister shared a message on his X profile, stating, "So far, 500 MW have been restored in the country. The startup process continues in various units, and efforts are underway to supply power to the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant. Strengthening the Camagüey micro-system to incorporate block 6 of Nuevitas is another priority."
Chronic Maintenance Neglect and Aging Infrastructure
The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) confirmed that the complete system failure occurred at 9:14 AM on September 10, leaving the entire nation without electricity on a day that was expected to see disruptions exceeding 1,790 megawatts. This marks the second nationwide outage recorded in 2025, highlighting a persistent structural crisis within the Cuban energy system that remains unresolved.
Just hours before the collapse, the government itself had acknowledged the "severe" state of the SEN and announced that the Antonio Guiteras plant would soon need to be taken offline for maintenance, a warning that now seems to have gone unheeded. Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) and the UNE have recently defended the prolonged blackouts across the country, citing that many plants have been operating for over four decades without major overhauls.
A System on the Brink of Collapse
The Guiteras plant has repeatedly been identified as a "weak point" in the system due to its frequent unexpected shutdowns. Although it plays a strategic role with its relatively high base generation contribution, its deterioration is apparent. In March, another general blackout shook the island, triggered by a fault at the Diezmero substation in Havana. In July 2024, a protection failure in the same plant also left the entire nation without electricity for more than eight hours.
For months, the Cuban population has endured a regime of scheduled and prolonged power cuts that disrupt daily life, the economy, and essential services. Government explanations, which focus on technological aging and the scarcity of parts, have not prevented growing public discontent.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the recent nationwide blackout in Cuba?
The recent blackout was caused by an unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas, leading to a collapse of the National Electric System.
How is the Cuban government addressing the blackout?
The government is working to restore power, with 500 MW already reinstated. Efforts are focused on supplying energy to the Antonio Guiteras Plant and strengthening the Camagüey micro-system.
Why are power outages frequent in Cuba?
Frequent outages are attributed to the aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and scarcity of parts, with many power plants operating for over four decades without significant repairs.