In Holguín province, three circuits—La Caridad, La Naza, and Nipe—reported experiencing power outages lasting 24 hours and 15 minutes as of the latest update from the Holguín Electric Company at 4:55 PM this past Saturday, according to CiberCuba's Blackout Observatory.
This duration marks the most significant power disruption in the province recorded on October 31. However, the reports for the three circuits do not clarify whether these hours were continuous or cumulative, nor do they specify the exact municipalities to which each circuit belongs.
The only municipality that can be reliably linked is that the La Naza circuit has previously been associated with the town of Bocas in the Gibara municipality. Without an official list from the distribution company, the municipalities for La Caridad and Nipe remain uncertain.
The extent of the province's electrical shortfall was evident at 2:25 PM on the same day: Holguín was providing only 60 MW against a requirement of 240 MW, as per data attributed to the Holguín Electric Company.
On a national level, the situation was equally bleak. At 6:00 AM, the National Electric System reported 1,437 MW affected, with a mere 900 MW available compared to a demand of 2,343 MW. Projections for peak hours estimated a maximum impact of 1,810 MW.
This Saturday's scenario is part of a recurring pattern of extended outages plaguing Holguín in recent weeks. On October 30, circuits Gibara 1 and Gibara 2 accumulated 22 hours and 28 minutes of outages, with that day's provincial maximum reaching 23 hours and 27 minutes.
On October 17, the Holguín Electric Company formally halted the rotation of circuits every 12 hours, citing the "complex situation of the National Electroenergetic System," and continued providing power only to circuits supplying Lenin Hospital. This decision sparked frustration among residents. "What rotation?" summed up the widespread sentiment expressed by an online user.
That same day, the Banes 2 circuit, Tanganica branch, endured an extreme 43 hours and 15 minutes without electricity, one of the most severe records for the province this year.
The underlying cause is the structural gap between available power generation and demand. On October 23, Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy warned that Cuba lacks fuel and does not anticipate having any soon, with nearly 1,000 MW of distributed generation remaining inactive for this reason.
In 2026, Cuba has faced eight total disconnections from the National Electric System, the latest occurring on September 18. The Holguín Electric Company stated that circuit rotation would only resume once the "base generation of the system" is restored, without specifying a timeline.
Understanding Holguín's Power Crisis
What circuits in Holguín are affected by the power outages?
The circuits La Caridad, La Naza, and Nipe are currently experiencing significant power outages.
How long have the power outages in Holguín lasted?
The power outages have lasted for 24 hours and 15 minutes according to the latest reports.
What is the reason for the power shortages in Cuba?
The shortages are due to a structural deficit between power generation and demand, exacerbated by a lack of fuel.