The Electric Union (UNE) announced on Tuesday that the latest collapse of Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) was triggered by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Felton thermoelectric plant, located in Holguín.
According to the UNE, the disconnection of this unit caused "an oscillation in the system's parameters with a sudden frequency change, which led to the SEN's shutdown."
Officials have stated that efforts are underway to supply energy to the thermoelectric plants in the western part of the country, a crucial step towards the gradual recovery of the system.
This recent collapse marks the fifth total blackout Cuba has faced in 2026, occurring just four days after the one on July 10, when the SEN was disconnected with a record deficit of 2,341 MW and a mere availability of 935 MW while facing a demand of 3,100 MW.
Felton's Unit 1 has a long history of failures, making it one of the weakest points of the Cuban electric grid. In May, it disconnected from the SEN just 2.5 hours after being reconnected, and in June, it was offline for 24 hours before reconnecting with 180 MW.
Similarly, in November 2025, it went offline due to high temperature in the bearing, and in September of that year, its failure contributed to continuous 20-hour blackouts in several provinces.
The pattern is consistent with each collapse: the sudden shutdown of a high-capacity unit causes a sharp frequency change that the system, operating on minimal margins, cannot handle, resulting in a cascading disconnection.
The SEN had already experienced a total disconnection on July 6 due to the shutdown of Unit 6 at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant, leaving approximately 9.6 million people without electricity.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the latest blackout in Cuba?
The most recent blackout was caused by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Felton thermoelectric plant, which led to an oscillation in system parameters and a sudden frequency change, resulting in the SEN's collapse.
How often has Cuba experienced total blackouts in 2026?
Cuba has faced five total blackouts so far in 2026, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the nation's electric system.
What is the history of failures with Felton's Unit 1?
Felton's Unit 1 has a history of failures, including disconnecting shortly after reconnection and contributing to prolonged blackouts due to technical issues like high temperature in the bearing.