Amidst the upheaval caused by the complete collapse of Cuba's national electric system, the Holguín Electric Company announced that they have successfully linked power circuits from Matanzas to Holguín. "At this moment, we have achieved an interconnected system between Matanzas and Holguín, with key components being the CTE Guiteras, Energás Varadero, Unit 5 in Nuevitas, and distributed generation," the state-run company from Holguín shared on social media.
According to the report, the Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) is now working on "energizing the western network, starting with the activation of Energás Boca de Jaruco, aiming to reach the floating power plants in Havana and the Mariel thermoelectric plant." Meanwhile, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, General Director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), described this Sunday as "crucial for expanding electricity coverage."
During his daily update on the status of the national electric system, Guerra Hernández confirmed that the country's largest thermoelectric plant, Antonio Guiteras in Matanzas, is now operational and "online" after an unexpected shutdown last Friday, which led to the widespread blackout still plaguing the UNE. "It is gradually increasing load to prevent triggering the central system," said Guerra Hernández regarding the Guiteras plant, a critical component in Cuba's electrical infrastructure. The director emphasized that "vital circuits remain a priority."
Efforts to Energize Western Cuba
Official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso elaborated on social media that "following Guiteras' return, UNE's strategy is to supply electricity from Matanzas to the rest of the west, which also includes restarting Mariel units, the floating generation in that area, and fuel groups." Alonso further stated, "Generation has successfully been linked from Matanzas to Holguín. In the coming hours, Energás Boca de Jaruco and Havana's floating generation will come online to begin consolidating electricity in the West," omitting mention of the protests that erupted Saturday night in various parts of the capital.
The situation in Eastern Cuba, where population unrest was also reported on Saturday, mirrors this uncertain landscape. "Unit 6 of the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant is already generating, and efforts are focused on connecting Moa with Renté," he added. "All floating power stations and distributed generation have fuel," concluded the journalist.
After two failed attempts to restore the national electric system, a glimmer of hope emerged this Sunday for customers of the Electric Company in Havana. Their social media updates indicated that six substations—Diezmero, Berroa, Regla, Naranjito, Apolo, and San Miguel—are already operational, with 24 circuits delivering 45.3MW of power.