On Wednesday afternoon, the Cuban government announced that all provinces have been reconnected to the National Electric System (SEN) after a massive regional blackout. However, reports from citizens indicate that power outages persist amidst a power generation shortfall that keeps the nation in nearly constant darkness.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) shared on X that "all provinces are connected to the SEN." This followed a widespread blackout affecting regions from Pinar del Río to Cienfuegos, as reported on Facebook by state journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.
The Electric Union (UNE) stated that it is investigating the reasons behind the partial system disconnection but did not specify the exact time of the incident. In its latest update at 7:00 p.m., the state company admitted to having only 1,389 MW available against a demand of 3,329 MW, resulting in a staggering shortfall of 1,972 MW. This explains why, even though "connected," provinces remain in the dark.
Power System on the Brink: Increasing Outages and Deficits
The country's energy situation continues to spiral downward. On Monday, the generation shortfall exceeded 2,000 MW, leading to power disruptions throughout the day.
The previous day, breakdowns were reported in unit 2 of Felton and unit 3 of Renté, the latter only being synchronized late in the afternoon.
Several units are still under maintenance: Mariel 5, Santa Cruz 2, and Cienfuegos 4, along with the gas plant at Energás Puerto Escondido.
The crisis also extends to distributed generation: 102 power plants are halted due to fuel shortages (914 MW out of service), while another 72 MW were non-operational due to lubricant scarcity.
Unrelenting Blackouts in Havana
In the capital, the Electric Company has been issuing daily outage schedules that are rarely adhered to because the deficit surpasses planned levels. Residents have gone days without a full day of stable electricity.
A Year of Persistent National Blackouts
The country has faced five national blackouts in the past year, highlighting the SEN's extreme fragility and the government's inability to resolve a crisis that impacts the economy, essential services, food supply, and daily life.
Just weeks ago, a massive failure cut power to the eastern region and affected the west after a 220 kV Nuevitas–Tunas line trip that disconnected the system from Las Tunas to Guantánamo.
Technical Reconnection Lacks Stability
While MINEM insists that "all provinces are connected," the fact remains that Cuba is still without power. Technical reconnection does not equate to stable service or sufficient availability to meet demand.
The energy crisis remains one of the country's most severe issues, with no short-term resolution and a continuously deteriorating system.
Understanding Cuba's Ongoing Energy Crisis
What is causing the ongoing power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are primarily due to a severe generation shortfall, with demand significantly outstripping available power supply. Maintenance issues, fuel shortages, and infrastructure breakdowns are further exacerbating the situation.
How has the government responded to the energy crisis?
The government claims to have reconnected all provinces to the National Electric System. However, this has not translated into stable electricity supply, as the infrastructure continues to struggle under the weight of demand and maintenance challenges.