Energy crisis in Cuba: The National Electric System faces its eighth total collapse of the year
Cuba is going through a critical situation after recording this Friday the eighth total disconnection of its National Electric System (SEN) so far this year. The state-owned company Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported that the service restoration process is underway gradually, prioritizing vital areas for the population.
Recovery protocols in progress
Félix Estrada, head of the National Load Dispatch of the UNE, confirmed that the collapse was caused by a failure in the high-voltage transmission network located in the central region of Cuban territory. Given this scenario, the authorities have activated strict technical protocols to ensure that the reconnection is stable and to avoid setbacks in the recovery of the supply.
Once the units in the western region have stabilized, the process will continue toward the center of the country and must advance toward the remaining regions, progressively incorporating generation units and loads, until most of the SEN is reached again.
Félix Estrada, head of the UNE National Load Dispatch
Currently, efforts are focused on supplying critical infrastructure, including hospitals, communications centers, and drinking water pumping systems. In Havana, reports indicate that 18.2% of customers already have electricity, while service has been restored in 38 of the capital’s 45 hospitals.
A constant logistical challenge
Restoring the SEN is a complex procedure that usually extends for more than 24 hours. The method used consists of utilizing black start sources, such as solar energy, hydroelectric power, and distributed generation engines, to energize small areas that are subsequently interconnected. The final objective is to reach the power necessary to activate the thermoelectric plants, which constitute the foundation of the national energy system.
Energy crisis context
- This massive blackout has left more than nine million inhabitants without electricity.
- The island has experienced recurring instability in its power grid with multiple collapses recorded in March, July, and August of this year.
- The crisis has worsened due to the lack of fuel, with a daily demand exceeding 100,000 barrels of oil, of which national production only covers a fraction, forcing a critical dependence on imports.
This issue, which has intensified since the beginning of 2024, has led to prolonged power outages that in many areas of the island exceed twenty hours a day, deeply affecting the daily lives of citizens.
