Lázaro Guerra Hernández, general director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), appeared urgently on Cuban television to explain what is known so far about the collapse of the National Electroenergy System (SEN), and stated that for now "there is no defined time" for total restoration.
The executive indicated that "the causes" are being investigated for why the Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant went out of service shortly after 11 in the morning, causing the massive blackout.
Guerra Hernández explained that at this time, each of the thermoelectric units is being reviewed for their gradual restoration.
He added that the restoration process began with the Energás Puerto Escondido plant, which is already generating electricity. The aim is to also connect Boca de Jaruco.
"To synchronize each of the units, the creation of microsystems -islands- began with the distributed generation groups in the territories that will provide voltage to the thermoelectric plants," detailed in television statements that were reported on Facebook by journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.
The official from MINEM specified that "the diesel generators closest to the thermal blocks are prioritized."
Cuba Petróleo (CUPET) is distributing the necessary fuel to ensure generation.
"There is no specific time for the complete restoration, but efforts are being made to reconnect the electrical system as soon as possible," concluded the executive in statements to the midday broadcast of the National Television News (NTV).
Shortly after 12 PM on this October 18th (local time), the Ministry of Energy and Mines announced on X that at 11:07 this morning, there was a total disconnection of the System, following the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant.
The entity added that the Electric Union is working on restoring the Electrical System, and did not provide any other details about what happened at the country's main and largest thermoelectric plant, located in the province of Matanzas.
Miguel Díaz-Canel reacted to the total disconnection of the Cuban National Electric Power System (SEN).
"From the direction of the country, we are giving absolute priority to the attention and solution of this highly sensitive energy contingency for the nation," wrote the leader on X.
"There will be no rest until his recovery," he added.
Immediately, dozens of Cubans reacted, demanding that he resign from his position and that he and his government hand over the country because the situation warrants it.
The director of the UNE, Alfredo López, had already anticipated that both Felton and Guiteras would go out of service for maintenance at some point, but it would be a planned outage.
The report from the UNE on October 18 cited the following units as malfunctioning: unit 1 of the CTE Santa Cruz, unit 2 of the CTE Felton, and units 3 and 6 of the CTE Renté.
Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Power Plant, Unit 4 of the Cienfuegos Power Plant, and Unit 5 of the Renté Power Plant are under maintenance.
The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, appeared on Thursday night in a troubled broadcast on Cuban radio and television alongside officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines to report on the current energy crisis in the country.
Marrero Cruz made it clear that the situation is extremely critical and indicated that no short-term solution is expected. However, they stated that an improvement was anticipated starting this Friday after the unloading of a fuel ship.
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