In response to the recent collapse of Cuba's National Electric System (SEN), the country's Energy and Mines Minister, Vicente De La O Levy, is set to appear on the Mesa Redonda program this Thursday. This announcement comes after the island was left without electricity. According to the state-controlled media outlet Cubadebate on Facebook, De La O Levy, along with officials from MINEM and the Electric Union (UNE), will provide insights into the extensive blackout that took place the previous morning.
Partial Restoration and Lingering Concerns
After 28 hours of outages, the UNE confirmed via social media that the electric grid had been restored and all provinces reconnected, although some residents reported ongoing blackouts in certain areas. Official statements indicated that unit 6 at the Mariel power plant was synchronized, yet there was no mention of restarting the Antonio Guiteras power station, the focal point of Wednesday's collapse.
A Pattern of Failures
This marks the fifth nationwide blackout in less than a year and the second in 2025, underscoring the regime's failure to provide a stable electricity supply. The Guiteras plant has suffered numerous outages since 2024, compounded by issues in substations, transmission lines, and natural disasters like Hurricane Rafael.
Impact on Daily Life
Beyond official rhetoric celebrating each reconnection, the reality for Cubans is stark: material losses, spoiled food, damaged appliances, and increased digital isolation in an already disconnected nation. The ongoing energy crisis is emblematic of the structural decline under state control, where aging infrastructure, lack of investment, and makeshift solutions leave millions enduring endless blackouts and unfulfilled promises.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the recent blackout in Cuba?
The blackout was primarily caused by a failure at the Antonio Guiteras power station, a key component of the island's electrical infrastructure.
How has the Cuban government responded to the power outages?
The Cuban government has attempted to address the outages by appearing on state media to provide explanations and assurances of restoration, yet the underlying issues persist.
Are there any solutions in place to prevent future blackouts?
Currently, there are no comprehensive solutions to prevent future blackouts due to the aging infrastructure and lack of significant investment in Cuba's power grid.