An electrical failure in Havana's power grid on Thursday caused widespread blackouts across the capital, amid an ongoing power generation deficit and frequent service disruptions, just days after a massive blackout plunged the entire country into darkness.
The Havana Electric Company announced via its Telegram channel that at 10:52 a.m., a malfunction in a 110 kV line affected several substations, including Naranjito, Melones, Príncipe, Tallapiedra, and Cerro.
Later, the company reported further outages triggered by an Automatic Frequency Disconnection (AFD), causing service interruptions in municipalities such as Playa, Habana del Este, and Boyeros, impacting multiple districts and circuits.
Neighborhoods such as Santa Fe, Jaimanitas, Guanabo, Campo Florido, Santiago de las Vegas, and various residential communities were affected, highlighting the instability of the electrical system.
Shortly thereafter, the company confirmed an energy deficit of 268 megawatts, with outages distributed across all blackout sectors in the city.
The report detailed interruptions across the six blackout sectors at different times, with even emergency circuits affected due to low generation availability.
This situation underscores the fragile state of the island's electrical grid, where breakdowns and insufficient generation capacity continue to cause prolonged and simultaneous outages across large areas of the nation.
Complaints from residents quickly appeared on social media, with many Habaneros decrying extended outages, poor planning, and unequal distribution of electricity.
"The day has come when having power for two hours a day is normal," wrote Irving Herrera, while Joycelin Arencibia Serrano questioned if any areas in the capital still had electricity.
From various municipalities, voices raised concerns about continuous cuts and lack of information. "Not even half an hour of electricity and we're already in crisis; this is inhumane," protested Yanet LG, a resident of San Miguel del Padrón.
Others pointed out severe impacts on their daily lives. "An hour and a half of light, what can you do with that?" asked Limay Vázquez Morfa, while Aimara Jiménez warned that the outages even prevent water pumping in buildings.
Criticism also targeted the management of the electrical system. "This is poorly planned," stated Aluet MA, while Guillermo Fernández Nogues described the situation as "abusive" in parts of Vedado.
Amid widespread dissatisfaction, some users reported lengthy periods without service. "Up to 15 and 18 hours without power," claimed Yindra Atenas, who also questioned disparities between circuits.
The persistence of blackouts and the lack of visible solutions continue to fuel public discontent in the capital, amid an escalating energy crisis affecting the entire country.
Understanding Havana's Electrical Outages
What caused the recent power outages in Havana?
The recent power outages in Havana were caused by a failure in a 110 kV line, affecting several substations and leading to widespread blackouts across the city.
How did the power outage affect Havana's residents?
Residents experienced extended blackouts, impacting daily life and leading to complaints about poor planning and unequal distribution of electricity.
Which areas in Havana were most affected by the power outage?
Areas such as Santa Fe, Jaimanitas, Guanabo, Campo Florido, and Santiago de las Vegas were among those most impacted.
What is the current energy deficit in Havana?
The energy deficit reached 268 megawatts, causing outages in all blackout sectors of the city.