As of Friday evening, a mere 30,277 out of the 862,732 customers served by Havana's Electric Company had electricity, representing just three percent of the total, following the year's eighth complete disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN), which occurred shortly before 2:00 pm.
According to the official report from the Electric Company (UNE), shared via the Facebook page Habana Noticias, only four out of Havana's 26 substations are currently operational, and a scant 10 out of the 286 distribution circuits are functional.
Gradual Restoration Amid Uncertainty
Authorities have indicated that "service restoration is being carried out gradually, as conditions allow within the SEN," yet they have not provided a timeline for full recovery. The report also highlighted that some customers might remain without power even after their circuit is restored due to factors unrelated to the general disconnection.
Weather Conditions and System Overload
The official explanation attributed Friday's collapse to the sequential shutdown of two high-voltage transmission lines originating in Matanzas: first, the 220 kV Matanzas-Cienfuegos line, followed by the Matanzas-Santa Clara line, amid unstable weather conditions. The sequence unfolded rapidly: the initial fault split the system into two blocks - Western and Eastern zones - and moments later, a total shutdown ensued. The UNE confirmed the disconnection from Pinar del Río to Matanzas at 1:52 pm, and from Matanzas to Guantánamo five minutes later.
System Strain and Historical Challenges
Before the collapse, the system was already strained, with only 1,113 MW of generation available against a projected demand of 3,210 MW, and a maximum impact forecasted at 2,007 MW. Previous recovery efforts in Havana paint a grim picture; after the fifth total SEN disconnection in July, the capital only reached four percent service in the initial hours, and following the sixth, it managed a mere 14% the next day.
Authorities have assured the public that they will be kept informed via official channels, the Telephone Assistance Center (18888), and the Command Post established for the current electrical situation.
Understanding the Power Outages in Havana
What caused the recent power outage in Havana?
The outage was caused by the sequential disconnection of two high-voltage transmission lines originating in Matanzas, exacerbated by unstable weather conditions.
How many substations and circuits are currently operational in Havana?
As of the latest report, only four out of 26 substations and 10 out of 286 distribution circuits are operational in Havana.
How will the public be informed about electricity restoration?
The public will receive updates through official channels, the Telephone Assistance Center (18888), and the Command Post set up for the current situation.