General blackout in Cuba: Electrical subsystem restored from Matanzas to Holguín

The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines announced on Thursday that an electrical subsystem covering the area from Matanzas to Holguín has been restored through the integration of thermoelectric plants, Energas Varadero, and distributed generation facilities in those regions.

This measure is part of a strategy to divide the electricity supply into independent regional systems, following the disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN) on Wednesday afternoon due to the impact of Hurricane Rafael.

On the social media platform X, the agency also reported that authorities are continuing to assess the transmission networks and are working on reviewing the affected lines in Havana, Mayabeque, and Artemisa, with the goal of restoring service as quickly as possible.

In previous reports, the ministry itself revealed that the rehabilitation of the electrical service in those provinces will be "a slow process."

Similarly, on the aforementioned platform, the government reported that in the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, electrical service has been restored by 55.7% and full restoration is expected by the end of the day.

Meanwhile, in Pinar del Río, a microsystem has been implemented that generates 27 MW, covering 19% of its population.

However, the Electric Union (UNE) stated on Facebook that there are impacts on the 220 kV structures of the Mariel-Pinar Line. "There's much work to be done, but we will move forward. The Electric Union has the necessary resources to reverse the damage caused, and we will work tirelessly until our electrical networks are fully restored."

The UNE also reported that several circuits have been reactivated in the province of Matanzas, primarily in the cities of Matanzas, Cárdenas, and Colón, thanks to the synchronization of Energas Varadero.

These efforts are part of the Cuban regime's response to the damage caused by the strong winds of Hurricane Rafael, which led to the disconnection of the national electric system this Wednesday at 2:48 p.m.