The Cuban Electric Company (UNE) declared on Tuesday that the National Electric System has been restored after Cuba endured two complete outages within a span of less than 48 hours, leaving millions without power for several days.
At 11:35 AM, the state-run company announced via social media: "The National Electric System has been restored, and Unit 8 of the Máximo Gómez Thermoelectric Plant is now online." Earlier, at 10:55 AM, the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant—Cuba's largest—was also reconnected to the grid.
The recovery process was both gradual and fraught with challenges. By the early morning, UNE reported that the system was interconnected from Pinar del Río to Holguín. However, efforts continued to incorporate Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Granma. At 8:22 AM, Unit 6 of the Diez de Octubre Thermoelectric Plant was brought online.
Causes of the Power Crisis
The crisis originated on Sunday, August 2, when a complete shutdown of the National Electric System—a sixth such failure this year—struck the island at 10:43 PM. While technicians managed a partial recovery on Monday, it was thwarted in the afternoon by a frequency oscillation that led to another full outage. UNE attributed this second failure to "existing weather events that affected the network, directly impacting the generating units that were online."
During the worst phase of the recovery, Havana operated with only 14% of its power supply, affecting approximately 87,480 customers, 78.51 MW, 12 substations, and 29 energized circuits, with priority given to 19 hospitals and two water pumping stations.
Widespread Impact and Public Response
The crisis also disrupted telecommunications: ETECSA reported generator failures, causing service interruptions in numbers with prefixes 52, 509, 598, and 599.
Residents shared their experiences of the extended outages: 72 hours without power in Bauta (Artemisa), 66 hours in Güines (Mayabeque), nearly 72 hours in Cifuentes (Villa Clara), and more than 48 hours in Minas (Camagüey). A Consolación del Sur resident summed up the ordeal: "We’ve been without electricity for three days; it's very difficult for children and the sick."
Structural Issues and Future Outlook
With the two August blackouts, Cuba has suffered at least seven complete outages of the National Electric System in 2026, according to records: two in March, three in July, and two in August. These failures stem from systemic issues acknowledged by Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy: outdated thermoelectric facilities, chronic fuel shortages, a lack of spare parts, and decades of infrastructure decay. The Antonio Guiteras plant, with a nominal capacity of 250 MW, has not had major maintenance since 2010 and has experienced at least 17 unscheduled shutdowns this year.
Following the second outage on Monday, Minister De la O Levy simply stated, "We continue with great effort and commitment."
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Power Grid Crisis
What caused the recent power outages in Cuba?
The outages were caused by a total disconnection of the National Electric System, exacerbated by frequency oscillations and adverse weather conditions that impacted the generating units.
How has the power crisis affected everyday life in Cuba?
The power crisis has severely disrupted daily life, affecting essential services like hospitals and telecommunications, and leaving many residents without electricity for extended periods.
What structural issues contribute to Cuba's ongoing power problems?
Cuba's power issues are rooted in outdated thermoelectric plants, persistent fuel shortages, lack of spare parts, and decades of neglected infrastructure maintenance.