The Cuban Electrical Union (UNE) has attributed the massive blackout that struck the island this week to a shortage of fuel, which they claim is caused by the United States' "energy blockade." According to Cuban authorities, this blockade prevents ships carrying petroleum products from reaching Cuba.
Officials from the electrical sector announced on state television that the National Electrical System (SEN) was reconnected from Pinar del Río to Guantánamo by 5:01 a.m. Thursday. However, they admitted the grid is currently operating with a limited power generation capacity.
Lázaro Guerra Hernández, general director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, stated that the reconnection was achieved using 110-kilovolt networks, while the 220-kilovolt network remains out of service due to the restricted generation levels available.
The report aired by the Cuban News Channel from the UNE headquarters emphasized that their immediate focus has been to allocate the scarce electricity to maintain essential services, especially hospitals nationwide.
Strained Electrical Network and Limited Resources
Authorities highlighted that the interconnected system allows the existing power to be distributed among provinces to support these critical facilities.
Guerra explained that the partial disconnection occurred following the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the country's largest power station. He insisted that the underlying issue is the lack of fuel.
He pointed out that much of the distributed generation is halted due to the unavailability of diesel or fuel oil, while floating power plants stationed in Mariel and Moa are also inactive for the same reason.
The official argued that if there had been sufficient fuel, the Guiteras plant's shutdown would not have led to a system collapse from Camagüey to Pinar del Río.
Challenges and Efforts to Restore Power
He asserted that U.S. government sanctions are the "root cause" of the energy shortfall, blocking fuel and its derivatives from reaching Cuban ports.
Meanwhile, technicians are working on repairs at the Antonio Guiteras plant to fix the issue that caused the shutdown and reintegrate it into the grid as swiftly as possible.
Simultaneously, teams are striving to restore generation capabilities at other plants, including the Diez de Octubre thermoelectric plant in Nuevitas, Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba, and Máximo Gómez Báez in Mariel.
The Energas company, with its three generation plants, played a crucial role in the initial phase of system recovery by supplying electricity to start large generation units and restore service to areas completely without power.
Yet, authorities acknowledge that Cuba's SEN continues to operate under fragile and limited conditions.
Ongoing Energy Crisis
The blackout coincides with an escalating energy crisis. By this Friday, the UNE projected a power shortfall of 2,075 MW during peak evening hours, with only 1,015 MW available against an estimated demand of 3,050 MW, potentially leaving over two-thirds of the country without electricity during high-consumption periods.
The situation worsened after the partial SEN collapse on Wednesday, when a boiler pipe rupture at the Guiteras plant caused its unexpected shutdown at 12:41 p.m., leading to a massive disconnection from Camagüey to Pinar del Río, affecting millions, including much of Havana.
Although the system was reconnected by 5:01 a.m. Thursday, recovery has been slow with an unstable supply.
The deterioration of the SEN stems from structural issues accumulated over decades. The country's main thermoelectric plants, built between the 1960s and 1970s, suffer from extensive wear and tear, insufficient maintenance, and chronic fuel shortages.
While the government has aimed to expand solar energy, the photovoltaic parks contribute only about 800 MW during daylight, insufficient to meet nighttime demand in a system facing deficits nearing 2,000 MW for months.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
What is the primary cause of the recent blackout in Cuba?
The blackout was mainly attributed to a fuel shortage, which Cuban authorities claim is due to U.S. sanctions preventing petroleum products from reaching Cuba.
How are Cuba's power plants affected by the current energy crisis?
Cuba's power plants are struggling due to insufficient fuel supplies, causing several plants, including floating ones in Mariel and Moa, to halt operations.
What measures are being taken to restore power in Cuba?
Technicians are repairing the Antonio Guiteras plant and working to reinstate generation capabilities at other facilities across the country.