The Cuban Electrical Union (UNE) announced on Thursday that a partial failure of the National Electrical System (SEN) was triggered by an "oscillation," which led to the partial disconnection of several regions across the country.
In its latest update shared on Facebook, the UNE stated that the SEN is now "operating stably and intact," with "60% of the affected circuits restored," although recovery efforts are still underway.
Despite this announcement, the message lacked detailed information about the incident's causes or the specific provinces affected, sparking a wave of criticism and sarcastic remarks from social media users.
"Just leave it like that, there's never electricity anyway," one user commented. Another quipped, "They're already practicing before the cyclone hits."
Energy Deficit Crisis
The blackout comes at an especially critical time. According to the latest technical report from the SEN, the generation deficit reached 1,818 MW, while availability stood at merely 1,550 MW against a demand of 2,526 MW.
This situation left the system on the brink of a total collapse, with over 70 distributed generation plants out of service due to fuel shortages or breakdowns at facilities like Felton, Mariel, Renté, and Santa Cruz.
Recurring Power Outages
Frequent power outages have become a national routine, with many provinces experiencing outages exceeding 10 hours daily, impacting hospitals, industries, and homes.
Tropical Storm Melissa Threat
The arrival of Tropical Storm Melissa exacerbates the situation. With sustained winds of 85 km/h and the potential to strengthen, this weather event threatens to bring heavy rains, storm surges, and flooding to eastern Cuba over the weekend, according to warnings from Cuba's Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Amid this crisis, millions of Cubans remain without power or information, precisely when they need it most. Without electricity, local radio stations and state channels are off the air, communications falter, and the population loses its main source of guidance and warning.
The collapse of the SEN once again highlights the structural weakness of Cuba's energy system, which has deteriorated after years of mismanagement, lack of investment, and reliance on fuel supply.
FAQs on Cuba's Energy Situation
What caused the partial failure of Cuba's National Electrical System?
The partial failure was caused by an "oscillation" that led to the disconnection of several regions in the country.
How much of the affected circuits have been restored?
According to the UNE, 60% of the affected circuits have been restored.
What is the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa on Cuba's energy situation?
The storm threatens to worsen the situation with potential heavy rains, storm surges, and flooding, particularly in eastern Cuba.
What are the main issues with Cuba's energy system?
Cuba's energy system suffers from structural weaknesses due to years of mismanagement, lack of investment, and dependency on fuel supply.