Cuba faces national blackout following collapse of the Electric Power System
Cuba is going through an unprecedented energy crisis after the National Electric System (SEN) suffered a total disconnection last Friday. The failure, which originated in the transmission lines, left more than nine million citizens without electricity simultaneously, paralyzing daily activities throughout the island territory.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) and the Electric Union (UNE), the incident began with a trip on the 220 kV line connecting Matanzas to Cienfuegos. What started as an interruption in the western zone, which includes provinces such as Havana, Pinar del Río, and Artemisa, quickly escalated to extend from Matanzas to Guantánamo, causing the total collapse of the grid.
Recovery protocols in progress
The authorities have activated emergency protocols to attempt to restore service. This complex process involves starting up black-start generation sources, such as solar plants, hydroelectric plants, and distributed generation engines, in order to supply small areas and gradually interconnect them. The ultimate goal is to restore power to the thermoelectric plants, the backbone of generation in the country.
A total disconnection of the Electrical System has occurred.
Official statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mines
A recurring crisis
This episode marks the eighth national blackout recorded in 2026 and the twelfth since late 2024, evidencing the structural fragility of the system. Despite recovery efforts, citizens face a critical reality, with outages in many provinces exceeding 30 continuous hours, severely affecting basic services, water supply, and the ability to cook food.
- The Cuban electrical system depends on insufficient oil generation, with a deficit that necessitates constant imports.
- The lack of spare parts and fuel for thermoelectric plants has been pointed out as the main factor for the instability.
- Citizen testimonies reflect exhaustion in the face of a crisis that has become part of the daily routine.
While the Cuban government attributes the situation to trade restrictions and difficulties in acquiring oil supplies, the population continues to deal with the direct consequences of a system that struggles to remain operational in the face of a lack of resources and the deterioration of its infrastructure.
