Cuba's Power Grid Partially Restored After Widespread Blackout Amid Citizen Complaints

Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) announced Saturday that the National Electric System (SEN) had been reconnected from Pinar del Río to Nuevitas. This announcement came as citizens reported still being without power in many areas after a nationwide blackout on Friday.

The ministry stated that several facilities had begun supplying electricity steadily during recovery efforts. These included the Boca Jaruco combined cycle plant, five units using associated gas, and units at the Mariel and Santa Cruz thermoelectric plants. Additionally, two units at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant were in the process of starting up.

📄 Where and When it Happened

The major electricity emergency began on Friday, September 18, 2026. Two 220-kilovolt transmission lines, Matanzas-Cienfuegos and Matanzas-Santa Clara, successively went out of service. The unstable weather conditions were also cited as a factor during the incident.

The failure of both lines led to a complete disconnection of the entire National Electric System (SEN). The recovery process involved creating micro-systems and gradually bringing generation units back online, with priority given to essential services.

📄 Why it Matters

While the MINEM announced a partial reconnection, many citizens expressed their continued lack of electricity. Social media buzzed with reactions, with users questioning the discrepancy between the official announcement and their reality. Reports indicated that areas like Santa Clara and Baire remained without power, with Baire being cut off from communication.

This situation highlights the ongoing struggles with Cuba's aging power infrastructure and its vulnerability to disruptions. The inability to provide continuous service even after partial restoration causes significant hardship for residents and businesses.

📄 What the Parties Say

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) officially reported the partial reconnection of the SEN and the steady generation from several power plants. They shared this information via their official channels.

However, many citizens directly contradicted these reports on social media, stating they remained in darkness for over a day. Their comments expressed frustration and disbelief regarding the official announcements.

Separately, the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas reported a new breakdown. The issue was identified in the boiler's economizer, and the necessary cooling for inspection could take up to 72 hours, further complicating recovery efforts.

📄 What Comes Next

Despite the reconnection of key parts of the grid, the full restoration of stable power across Cuba remains uncertain. The continued issues, including the breakdown at the Antonio Guiteras plant, suggest a lengthy recovery period.

This event marks the eighth total disconnection of the SEN in Cuba during 2026. Citizens will need to stay attentive to further updates from MINEM and local authorities, as the process of fully restoring electricity is ongoing and complicated by further technical difficulties.