On Tuesday morning, Cuba remained largely in darkness, with the National Electric System (SEN) yet to recover after its collapse on Monday at 12:17 PM local time. The Electric Union (UNE) confirmed the total disconnection with a brief statement: "A complete disconnection of the National Electric System has occurred. The causes are being investigated, and restoration procedures are being automatically implemented."
The last official update from UNE was over eight hours before Tuesday, when the state-run company reported that Unit 2 of the Ernesto Guevara Thermal Power Plant was "operational and increasing load" as of 12:20 PM Tuesday, accompanied by the hashtag #CubaNoSeRinde.
During the same period, UNE announced stable power generation from the Boca de Jaruco and Varadero Energás units and the startup of Mariel 5 and Habana 2. Meanwhile, micro-systems—isolated networks using diesel generators and solar panels—continued to operate, ensuring vital services such as hospitals, communication centers, and water supply.
Since then, no further official updates have reached the public, who remain in the dark about when power will be restored.
The immediate cause of the collapse was the shutdown of Unit No. 6 at the Nuevitas thermal plant in Camagüey, which triggered a cascading disconnection. UNE noted that no failures were detected in the operational thermal units at the time, leaving the event's technical origin unexplained.
This marks the seventh total blackout of the SEN in the past 18 months and the third in 2026, representing the worst energy crisis in recent Cuban history. On Monday, the projected deficit ranged from 2,200 to 2,230 MW, with only 1,000 MW available against a demand of 3,100 MW.
Multiple structural causes have accumulated: 106 distributed generation plants are idle due to a lack of fuel, accounting for 890 MW unavailable; over three months without oil shipments; and the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant—the largest in the country—has experienced 17 disconnections in 2026 alone and hasn’t undergone major maintenance since 2010.
The previous Sunday, 72% of the national territory was left without service during peak demand hours, with a maximum impact of 2,201 MW at ten at night. In some parts of Matanzas, outages have lasted up to 87 consecutive hours, while in Havana, the average is around 15 hours daily without electricity.
The public's desperation has led to protests. On July 2, residents of La Lisa gathered outside the municipal Communist Party headquarters after more than 50 hours without electricity or water. On July 3, residents of Regla took to the streets, facing heavy police presence and internet blackouts as a response.
Meanwhile, Miguel Díaz-Canel praised UNE workers and blamed the crisis on a "genocidal energy blockade" by the United States, claiming Washington aims to induce a social uprising through suffocation. The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a security alert following the collapse, advising its citizens to take immediate preparatory measures.
The most recent precedent of a total blackout was on March 16, 2026, lasting 29 hours and 29 minutes, already considered a critical threshold for the system. This new collapse, with recovery progressing at a snail's pace and no official timeline announced, threatens to surpass it.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the latest blackout in Cuba?
The immediate cause was the shutdown of Unit No. 6 at the Nuevitas thermal plant, triggering a cascading disconnection across the grid.
How is the Cuban government addressing the blackout?
The government reported efforts to restore power by activating other power units and using isolated micro-systems for critical services, though progress has been slow.
What structural issues contribute to Cuba's energy problems?
Key issues include idle distributed generation plants due to fuel shortages, lack of oil imports, and aging infrastructure like the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant.
How has the public reacted to the ongoing energy crisis?
Public frustration has led to protests in various regions, with residents demanding solutions to prolonged power outages and essential service disruptions.