An unexpected malfunction at the Canasí collection center has left seven districts in Havana without manufactured gas supply as of Monday.
The Manufactured Gas Company of CUPET announced that the issue emerged Sunday afternoon at the Canasí site, located in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, managed by their Oil and Gas Drilling and Extraction Company.
The breakdown has significantly reduced the flow of natural gas to power plants in the western part of the country and to production facilities in Havana, resulting in a marked decrease in the volume available for manufacturing gas.
The affected districts are Old Havana, Central Havana, Plaza de la Revolución, Cerro, 10 de Octubre, Playa, and Marianao.
CUPET has pledged to restore the gas supply "by Tuesday morning, August 11," assuring the public that their teams are working "around the clock" with the extraction company to expedite repairs.
Impact of the Canasí Center Malfunction
The Canasí collection center is a pivotal part of Cuba's energy infrastructure, capable of processing up to one million cubic meters of natural gas daily. It also supplies the power plants in Puerto Escondido and Boca de Jaruco.
A disruption at this site not only halts domestic gas supply in the capital but also exacerbates the already struggling power generation in the western part of the country.
This interruption is particularly severe since manufactured gas—commonly referred to as "street gas"—is the sole cooking alternative for many Havana residents during the extensive blackouts, which in 2026 have stretched to 20 hours a day.
Service Interruptions and Rising Costs
The service, delivered through underground pipelines that are independent of electricity, serves approximately 208,000 residential customers across eight districts in the capital.
This marks the fourth major service interruption in less than three months. In June, there was a planned shutdown of Plant No. 1 for the replacement of segments and valves, followed by an "unforeseen technical force majeure" malfunction later that month.
On July 30, CUPET announced a complete shutdown of both plants for maintenance of an automatic control valve, leaving the same seven districts without gas for six hours.
The frequent malfunctions are compounded by public discontent over increased rates. Resolution 156/2026 nearly doubled the service price from 2.50 to 4.97 Cuban pesos per cubic meter, imposing a monthly bill of 298.20 pesos for a family consuming 60 cubic meters.
Just two days before this latest malfunction, Havana residents expressed concern over the new tariffs that took effect this month.
Questions About Havana's Gas Supply Issues
What caused the gas supply disruption in Havana?
The disruption was caused by a malfunction at the Canasí collection center, which significantly reduced the flow of natural gas essential for manufacturing gas in Havana.
Which areas of Havana are affected by the gas outage?
The districts affected by the gas outage are Old Havana, Central Havana, Plaza de la Revolución, Cerro, 10 de Octubre, Playa, and Marianao.
How is CUPET addressing the gas supply issue?
CUPET has promised to restore the gas supply by Tuesday morning, August 11, and is working continuously with the extraction company to speed up the repair process.