A significant fire erupted in Unit 1 of the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna Thermoelectric Plant in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque Province, as reported by the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) through its official channels.
"Firefighters are currently on site working to extinguish the blaze. Further updates will be provided," stated the UNE on its Facebook page.
According to the state-run media outlet Cubadebate, the fire broke out at 6:55 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the fire department to combat the flames. The affected unit was swiftly taken offline.
This incident delivered an instant blow to Cuba's already struggling National Electric System (SEN), with available power plummeting to 740 MW against a demand of 2,260 MW, leaving 1,540 MW unfulfilled from the early hours of the morning.
Nighttime Electricity Demand Exceeds Supply
The outlook for peak nighttime demand is even more daunting. The UNE projects a demand of 2,900 MW, while availability remains at a mere 740 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 2,160 MW and an anticipated impact of 2,190 MW.
The scenario of multiple simultaneous failures at the time of the fire was extensive. Alongside the unit affected by the blaze, the official report indicated that Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz plant, the Guiteras plant in Matanzas, Unit 2 of the Felton plant in Holguín, and Units 3 and 6 of the Renté plant in Santiago de Cuba were also out of service. Additionally, three other units across the country were undergoing maintenance.
Recurring Issues at Santa Cruz Plant
On Thursday, conditions were already dire before the fire occurred. The electricity service experienced disruptions throughout the day, reaching a peak impact of 2,094 MW at 7:30 p.m., "exceeding planned levels," as acknowledged by the UNE, due to malfunctions in Units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos plant and Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz plant.
The Santa Cruz plant has faced recurrent breakdowns throughout 2026. Unit 1 was offline in February due to a malfunction, in April and May due to turbine regulation system failures. In July, Unit 2 experienced a failure in the economizer, just an hour and a half after a unit at the Cienfuegos plant also dropped offline, described as a domino effect among thermoelectric plants.
Completed in 1991 with Soviet technology, the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna plant has three generating units and an installed capacity of 295 MW. It operates on domestic crude oil, avoiding imports valued at approximately $400,000 daily.
In 2026, Cuba has endured eight total disconnections from the SEN, with the latest occurring on September 18. With available power plummeting to 740 MW and an anticipated impact exceeding 2,190 MW for this Friday night, millions of Cubans are facing power outages that have already surpassed 20 continuous hours in recent days.
Impact on Cuba's National Electric System
What caused the fire at the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant?
The fire at the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant was reported to have started at 6:55 a.m. The specific cause of the fire has not been detailed in the available reports.
How has the fire affected Cuba's electricity supply?
The fire led to the immediate shutdown of Unit 1 at the plant, causing a severe reduction in available power. This exacerbated the existing energy crisis, with availability dropping to 740 MW against a demand of 2,260 MW.
What other units are affected by outages?
In addition to the affected unit at the Santa Cruz plant, several other units across the country are out of service, including those at the Guiteras, Felton, and Renté plants, among others.