For the fourth time in half a year, Cuba has been hit by a major power outage, affecting much of the nation, including its capital, Havana. The failure of the National Electric System (SEN) occurred last Friday night, plunging thousands of homes into darkness and offering yet another glimpse into the island's ongoing energy crisis.
The Cuban authorities have pointed to a malfunction in the Diezmero substation, located on the outskirts of Havana, as the cause of a significant loss of power generation in the western part of the country, leading to the collapse of the SEN.
In response to the situation, Havana's Governor, Yanet Hernández Pérez, took to social media with a message and photos showing dozens of Cubans gathered on streets and building porches, attempting to charge their mobile phones. "When times test us, Cubans always respond with solidarity. These images reflect our essence: a people supporting one another, even in the most challenging moments. Together, we are stronger," she wrote.
Meanwhile, in what many see as sheer cynicism, President Miguel Díaz-Canel thanked Cubans for their "understanding" following the SEN collapse that left several provinces without power for over 48 hours. "Thank you, Cuba, for your understanding during these uncertain and troubling times caused by the SEN disconnection. And thanks to the workers and leaders of the Electric Union who faced it tirelessly. We still have deficits, but we are back online," he posted on his X account.
His remarks were met with skepticism and anger, with users branding them as mockery towards those enduring the blackouts, while government elites enjoy assured electricity. Similarly, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz attempted to pacify the public with another empty message: "Our gratitude to the people for their trust that we will overcome, despite the challenging times. Recognition to the Electric Union of Cuba collective, who worked tirelessly to restore the SEN."
However, his statement only fueled critiques, as blackouts have become a persistent issue, and the electrical crisis shows no signs of improvement. The Electric Union confirmed that the outage on Sunday, March 16, lasted 24 continuous hours, with the crisis escalating due to the shutdown of multiple power units. Currently, units like CTE Habana's unit 1, CTE Renté's unit 6, and CTE Felton's unit 2 are out of order.
Furthermore, other units are undergoing maintenance, such as those in CTE Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté. Added to this are thermal generation limitations of 481 MW and a fuel shortage that has kept 40 distributed generation plants offline, affecting an additional 158 MW.
As the government continues to call for patience and resilience from the population, the harsh reality is that Cuba's energy infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. Lack of investment, corruption, and poor management have made blackouts a daily occurrence for Cubans, who are finding it increasingly difficult to trust the regime's empty promises.
Rather than offering real solutions, authorities continue to recycle worn-out speeches about resilience and unity, while the public faces ever more unbearable challenges. The pressing question on many minds is: How much longer can they endure?
Cuba's Energy Crisis: Key Questions Answered
What caused the recent blackout in Cuba?
The recent blackout was attributed to a malfunction in the Diezmero substation, which significantly reduced power generation in western Cuba and led to the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN).
How have Cuban leaders responded to the blackout?
Cuban leaders, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, have thanked the public for their understanding and praised Electric Union workers, but their statements have been met with skepticism and criticism from the populace.
What is the current state of Cuba's energy infrastructure?
Cuba's energy infrastructure is facing severe challenges, with multiple power units either malfunctioning or under maintenance, combined with thermal generation limitations and a fuel shortage affecting distributed generation plants.