This Monday, Cuba woke up to see only a small portion of its electrical grid functioning in the capital. The National Electric System (SEN) experienced its sixth total shutdown of the year on Sunday night, leaving much of Havana in the dark.
The state-run Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported on Facebook that just 14.27% of the city’s customers had their power restored. The utility noted that they managed to energize 12 substations and 29 distribution circuits, which benefited 87,480 customers by providing 78.51 MW. Among the services restored were 19 hospitals and two water supply boosters. UNE cautioned that the restoration process would proceed gradually, as conditions allowed.
This blackout came a mere 24 hours after a partial disconnection impacted the western region on Saturday. A simultaneous fault in the 220 kV lines between Matanzas-Cienfuegos and Matanzas-Santa Clara left around 4.5 million people without power across Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Havana, and Matanzas.
As the system was still recovering from that incident, the total collapse occurred again. The percentage of service restored in the early morning slightly exceeds the 12.9% achieved in Havana following a blackout on July 10, highlighting a troubling pattern of slow and incomplete recovery.
July proved to be the most challenging month of the year, with the SEN collapsing entirely at least three times—on the 6th, 10th, and 14th. The deficit reached over 2,315 MW on July 24, according to UNE reports. The persistent issues stem from structural problems: outdated thermoelectric infrastructure, frequent plant breakdowns, and fuel shortages—problems the regime has failed to address amid the ongoing energy crisis. As of July 31, UNE reported an impact of 2,042 MW at 7:00 p.m., with only 1,013 MW available against a demand of 3,114 MW.
Citizens' frustration is palpable on social media platforms. Following the announcement of the latest shutdown, comments on the UNE’s post revealed the mounting despair: "The question is, when is it connected?" and "The SEN is worse than a person with Alzheimer’s," were among the reactions.
This discontent had already led to street protests in previous months. The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 107 in-person protests in June 2026, nearly double the previous record, with 82 in Havana alone. Cubalex reported 253 demonstrations across the country during that month, peaking at 31 in a single day. Protests continued into July, fueled by prolonged blackouts, water shortages, and food scarcity.
As Havana wakes up with 85% of its customers still without power, UNE has yet to provide an estimated timeline for the full recovery of the system.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the latest power outage in Cuba?
The latest outage was triggered by a total shutdown of the National Electric System, following a previous partial disconnection in the western region of the country.
How much of Havana's power has been restored?
As of the latest updates, only 14.27% of Havana's power has been restored, affecting approximately 87,480 customers.
What are the structural issues contributing to Cuba's energy problems?
Cuba's energy issues are rooted in outdated thermoelectric infrastructure, recurrent breakdowns at power plants, and fuel shortages.