The Electric Union (UNE) announced on Thursday evening that the electrical connection between eastern Cuba and the National Electric System (SEN) has been restored following a disruption that left five provinces without power.
UNE stated on social media, "The disconnection in the eastern part of the country, affecting provinces between Holguín and Guantánamo, has been resolved."
Despite this announcement, many residents reported that electricity did not immediately return to all areas. Comments flooded the post, with numerous Cubans expressing that they remained in darkness or that power was restored only briefly.
One individual noted, "They restored it, then took it away again." Another questioned, "What do you mean by restored system when no one here has electricity?"
Widespread Impact and Struggles
The disruption disconnected Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo, during a day already plagued by significant generation shortfalls.
The incident led to the simultaneous shutdown of three thermoelectric units: unit 1 of CTE Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton), unit 6 of CTE Diez de Octubre, and unit 6 of CTE Antonio Maceo.
The Granma Electric Company described the event as "a partial disconnection in the National Electric System," triggered by "the unexpected shutdown of CTE Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) and the resulting oscillations," impacting "the entire eastern region."
Efforts to Reconnect
The Provincial Load Dispatch began efforts to reconnect the region to the SEN, prioritizing power supply to essential centers.
However, restoring the SEN does not necessarily mean an immediate return of power for all households, a critical distinction amid the current energy crisis.
This Thursday, the system had only 1,170 MW available against a forecasted demand of 3,200 MW. During peak hours, UNE predicted a deficit of 2,030 MW, leaving vast areas in the dark even after regional disconnection issues were addressed.
The official announcement led to widespread complaints. One user lamented, "And what about Havana, circuit A 980, over 50 hours without power. Until when?"
Ongoing Energy Crisis
This incident is part of a broader energy crisis severely affecting eastern Cuba, where prolonged blackouts have become a daily occurrence.
Once again, Felton is central to the disturbance. The Lidio Ramón Pérez thermoelectric plant in Mayarí, Holguín, has been involved in several major disruptions throughout 2026.
In July, the shutdown of unit 1 was linked to a total collapse of the SEN, following oscillations that spread throughout the system.
In February, another fault involving Felton and the Renté thermoelectric plant led to power outages in the eastern region.
The plant's technical situation remains precarious. On August 23, it was revealed that unit 1 had a crack and over a hundred anomalies were detected during repair work.
Unit 2 also exited the SEN due to a fault on August 12, exacerbating generation issues.
Understanding Cuba's Power Struggles
What caused the recent power outage in eastern Cuba?
The outage was caused by the unexpected shutdown of key thermoelectric units, including CTE Lidio Ramón Pérez, leading to a partial disconnection in the National Electric System.
Why didn't power return immediately after the connection was restored?
Restoring the connection to the National Electric System doesn't guarantee immediate power return to all households due to persistent generation deficits and infrastructure issues.
How severe is the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba faces a severe energy crisis with significant power generation shortfalls, particularly affecting the eastern regions, where prolonged blackouts are common.