On Tuesday, Cuba experienced yet another widespread blackout following the complete shutdown of the National Electric System at 11:05 a.m., as confirmed by the Electric Union through its official channel.
The state-run media outlet Cubadebate also reported the incident: "We inform that there has been another disconnection of the National Electric System."
This marks the fifth total blackout of 2026 and the tenth in roughly two years, highlighting an unprecedented energy crisis in the island's recent history.
What is particularly concerning is the rapid succession of these failures: the fourth total blackout of the year occurred on July 10, merely four days earlier, due to an issue in the 220 kV transmission line between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus.
That event followed just four days after the year's third total collapse, recorded on July 6. Three complete shutdowns within eight days underscore the accelerating decline of an infrastructure that has little room for recovery.
Official system data underscores the severity of the issue: Tuesday's report from the Electric Union projected a shortfall between 1,990 and 2,020 MW, with only 1,155 MW of generation capacity available against an expected peak demand of 3,150 MW.
On Monday, the maximum impact reached 1,775 MW at 9:50 p.m., with continuous blackouts persisting throughout the day and night.
Cuba's Aging Infrastructure and Fuel Shortages
The power plants out of operation due to malfunctions include units six and eight of the Máximo Gómez Thermoelectric Plant in Mariel; unit two of Lidio Ramón Pérez in Felton; and unit three of Antonio Maceo in Renté.
Add to this 106 distributed generation plants offline due to fuel shortages, accounting for 890 MW unavailable, along with the Regla, Melones, Mariel, and Moa power barges, all out of service.
The structural causes of this crisis are well-known: outdated thermoelectric plants lacking major maintenance for over a decade, chronic fuel shortages worsened by the reduction of subsidized oil from Venezuela, and the absence of real investment in infrastructure.
Each total collapse necessitates a recovery process that can span several days, involving the creation of regional microsystems—such as Energás Boca de Jaruco in the west and Energás Varadero in the center—before the larger thermoelectric plants can be reconnected.
A Crisis Without Solutions
As the crisis deepens, Díaz-Canel has called for "better organization of blackouts" without offering structural solutions, a response that encapsulates the regime's stance on an emergency affecting water supply, hospitals, and the daily lives of millions of Cubans.
In July 2026, daily blackouts in Cuba average between 20 and 26 hours, with some areas enduring over 72 consecutive hours without electricity.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the most recent power outage in Cuba?
The most recent power outage in Cuba was caused by a complete shutdown of the National Electric System, which occurred at 11:05 a.m. It is part of a series of blackouts due to aging infrastructure and fuel shortages.
How frequent are the blackouts in Cuba?
In July 2026, Cuba experienced daily blackouts averaging between 20 and 26 hours, with some regions suffering over 72 consecutive hours without power.
What are the main reasons behind Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to outdated thermoelectric plants that have not received major maintenance for over a decade, chronic fuel shortages, and a lack of significant investment in infrastructure.