The ongoing energy crisis in Cuba once again disrupted communications in Matanzas this Saturday. Both radio and television signals experienced interruptions and quality degradation due to electricity shortages and a lack of spare parts for essential equipment repairs, as acknowledged by RadioCuba's Territorial Division through the official newspaper, Girón.
This disruption occurred just a day after the fourth total collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) in 2026.
In their statement, RadioCuba attributed the problems to the recent failures of the SEN, asserting that their operators, alongside those from the state-owned Telecommunications Company of Cuba S.A. (Etecsa), were working to restore service "amid a complex scenario."
During the outage, it was reported that television signals could still be accessed via channel 51 in the Matanzas area and channel 20 in Colón.
Hours later, RadioCuba's Territorial Directorate announced the restoration of normal radio and TV frequencies in the province.
Widespread Energy System Collapse
The transmission interruptions followed a SEN collapse on Friday after a failure occurred in the 220 kV line between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus. At that time, the system was operating with only 935 MW of availability against a demand of 3,100 MW, highlighting the severe vulnerability of Cuba's power generation.
Matanzas is among the regions hardest hit by the energy crisis. In the days leading up to the national blackout, some circuits went without electricity for up to 96 consecutive hours.
Furthermore, the province is dealing with eight substations out of service and 63 damaged transformers, which has progressively worsened the operation of other critical services.
Ongoing Broadcasting Challenges
Broadcasting challenges are not new. Since July 2025, RadioCuba has acknowledged that the province's transmitters were operating below capacity due to the unavailability of raw materials needed for equipment repairs.
This situation is echoed in other parts of the country. In May, the Boniato transmission center in Santiago de Cuba went offline due to power deficits and fuel shortages. Two months earlier, an issue at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant left provinces between Camagüey and Pinar del Río without radio and TV signals.
RadioCuba's General Director, Leonardo Vázquez, admitted in May that the generators have been in use for years and show significant wear, while much of the broadcasting equipment is energy inefficient, reflecting the deteriorating infrastructure increasingly susceptible to ongoing electrical system failures.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Its Impact on Communications
What caused the recent broadcast disruptions in Matanzas?
The disruptions were caused by electricity shortages and the lack of spare parts needed for essential equipment repairs, compounded by a collapse of the National Electric System.
How is the energy crisis affecting other services in Matanzas?
The energy crisis has led to extended power outages, with some circuits experiencing up to 96 hours without electricity, affecting substations and transformers, and deteriorating other essential services.
What long-term issues are affecting Cuba's broadcasting infrastructure?
Cuba's broadcasting infrastructure faces long-term issues such as aging generators, insufficient raw materials for equipment repairs, and energy-inefficient technology, making it vulnerable to frequent power system failures.