Santiago de Cuba is entirely without electric service this Saturday, following the disconnection of the microsystem that had been created to generate some energy after the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) this Friday.
According to the report from the Electric Company of Santiago de Cuba on Telegram, all circuits in the province are currently without electrical service.
The General Director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, confirmed in a television appearance and explained that the microsystem of Santiago de Cuba would supply the Renté thermoelectric plant for the synchronization of unit 3, which was in the startup process on the morning of this Saturday.
In the east, the Camagüey microsystem was also ready to supply power to the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant, which was in the process of starting up.
This Friday night, the country experienced a nationwide blackout due to a failure at the Diezmero substation in Havana.
Guerra Hernández reported that currently 225 MW are being supplied from the microsystems that have been created, which are serving vital centers.
He also clarified that the western microsystem, the largest in the country, is awaiting the startup of the Energás plant, which will enable energy to be supplied to several substations in Havana, as well as the thermoelectric plants in Mariel and Santa Cruz, along with the barges.
Until these units are operational, energy cannot be distributed through the various circuits.
The authorities assure that they are working tirelessly to try to reconnect the National Electric System (SEN), amid the frustration, indignation, and distrust of millions of Cubans.
A video shared by journalist Mario Herrera from Canal Habana revealed details about the outage that occurred on Friday at 8:15 PM at the Diezmero electrical substation, located in the San Miguel del Padrón municipality, which caused the system to go down.
Ariel Mas Castellanos, director of substations at the Electric Company of the capital, reported that there was a failure in the insulation of a line component due to many years of operation. "It is aged," he acknowledged.
The specialist reported that due to the conditions of the system in Cuba, they have not been able to replace that device as it is so old that there are no similar ones available in the international market, and it is impossible to find another to replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Blackout in Santiago de Cuba and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why did Santiago de Cuba experience a massive blackout?
Santiago de Cuba experienced a power outage due to the disconnection of the microsystem created after the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN). The instability in the microsystem's frequency forced its dismantling, leaving the province without electricity service.
What caused the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) in Cuba?
The collapse of the SEN was caused by a malfunction at the Diezmero substation in Havana, which led to a general disconnection. This incident was part of a series of structural and maintenance issues in the Cuban electrical system, exacerbated by a lack of investment and modernization.
How does the energy crisis affect the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis has severely impacted the quality of life for Cubans, causing prolonged blackouts that limit access to basic services such as food, water, and medical care. This has led to an increase in social discontent and protests in various regions of the country.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented the creation of "microsystems" to provide energy to specific areas and vital centers. However, these solutions have proven insufficient and have not effectively stabilized the electricity supply.
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