The Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) announced on Saturday that Unit 1 of the Santa Cruz del Norte thermoelectric power plant in Mayabeque province has been integrated into the western microgrid. This marks another step in the sluggish recovery of the National Electric System (SEN) following the fourth nationwide blackout this year.
In a post on their X account, Minem clarified that the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas and Unit 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant in Cienfuegos were in the process of being restarted.
The incident that necessitated this recovery occurred on Friday, July 10, at 3:55 pm. A failure in the 220 kV transmission line between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus triggered a cascading disconnection, leading to a power outage affecting nearly 10 million people within just 35 minutes.
The system was operating under dire conditions, with only 935 MW available against a demand of 3,100 MW, while 11 out of the country’s 16 thermoelectric units were offline.
This marked the eighth nationwide blackout of the SEN in roughly two years and the fourth in 2026 alone, occurring just four days after the third blackout on July 6.
Challenges in Restoring Power to the Western Microgrid
Restoring the western microgrid proved particularly challenging, as another voltage collapse occurred early Saturday morning in that region, necessitating a complete restart of the protocol.
Félix Estrada Rodríguez, Director of the National Load Dispatch, who personally oversaw the operations, reported progress: "We have already incorporated all the units at Energás Jaruco in the west, the combined cycle, the 150-megawatt machine is starting up, as well as Unit 1 of Santa Cruz and Unit 5 of Mariel."
Estrada also highlighted the role of the battery energy storage system in Cotorro, Havana: "Once again, this system is part of the restoration efforts in the western area. The Cotorro storage system provides stability to the operation."
Efforts and Constraints in Central and Eastern Regions
In the central-eastern region, Unit 6 of the Nuevitas power plant synchronized with 55 MW, and the SEN was interconnected from Santa Clara to Holguín, as reported earlier by the Electric Union.
The National Load Dispatch Director warned that the recovery is hampered by severe fuel constraints: "Despite the fuel limitations, we need to create some islands in the provinces to ensure power for hospitals and water pumping stations."
The Santa Cruz del Norte power plant has a total installed capacity of 480 MW, with each unit having a nominal capacity of around 100 MW.
On July 8, Cuba experienced its largest energy deficit in history, with a shortfall of 2,341 MW affecting 73% of the population simultaneously.
Experts believe that modernizing Cuba's electrical infrastructure would require an investment of between $8 billion and $10 billion, a figure unattainable for a regime that has not invested in capital maintenance for its power plants in decades.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the recent power outage in Cuba?
The outage was triggered by a failure in a 220 kV transmission line between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus, leading to a cascading disconnection that left nearly 10 million people without electricity.
How is Cuba addressing its energy infrastructure issues?
Efforts are being made to synchronize power units and restore microgrids, but the process is hindered by severe fuel shortages and outdated infrastructure.
What role does the Cotorro energy storage system play?
The Cotorro battery energy storage system contributes to the stabilization of the power grid during restoration efforts in the western region of Cuba.