On Tuesday, Havana, like the rest of Cuba, is experiencing yet another widespread blackout—the third in just over a week. Hours after the latest shutdown of the National Electric System (SEN), merely 4% of Havana's customers have had their power restored.
The Havana Electric Company (EELH) announced on their official channels that only nine substations and 11 distribution circuits have been brought back online, providing electricity to 33,188 customers with a limited capacity of 17 MW.
Out of approximately 787,000 customers in the capital, the vast majority remain without power.
The EELH highlighted that only essential services like one hospital and a water supply booster have electricity, underscoring the dire situation for Havana's residents.
"We inform the population that following the SEN disconnection, the following have been restored: Substations: 9, 11 distribution circuits benefiting 33,188 customers (17 MW) for 4% of the city. Vital health services: 1 (Hospitals). Water supply: 1 booster. Restoration is being carried out gradually as SEN conditions allow," stated the state-run company.
Meanwhile, the Electric Union (UNE) reported that the Ernesto Guevara and Máximo Gómez thermoelectric plants in Mariel have received power to prepare the startup of their Mariel 5, Habana 1, and Habana 2 units, indicating that the recovery process of the SEN is still in its early stages.
The complete disconnection of the SEN occurred at 11:05 a.m., as confirmed by the Electric Union through its official channel.
According to the UNE, the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Felton thermoelectric plant in Holguín caused "a system parameter oscillation with a sudden frequency change, leading to the SEN's shutdown."
The rapid succession of these power failures is unprecedented in the island's electrical history.
The year's fourth total blackout took place on Friday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m., triggered by a failure in the 220 kV transmission line between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus.
Just four days earlier, on July 6, the SEN collapsed for the third time in the year without the Electric Union being able to identify an immediate technical cause.
Understanding the Power Outages in Havana
What caused the latest blackout in Havana?
The latest blackout was caused by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Felton thermoelectric plant, which led to a sudden frequency change and the resulting shutdown of the National Electric System (SEN).
How many customers in Havana currently have electricity?
As of the latest reports, only 4% of Havana's customers have had their electricity restored, impacting approximately 33,188 customers.
What essential services have electricity in Havana?
Currently, only one hospital and a water supply booster have electricity, highlighting the severe impact on essential services.