The electrical service was restored early Sunday morning in the Havana municipalities affected by the fire that occurred on Saturday at the Tallapiedra electric substation, as reported by the Electric Company of Havana in an official statement.
The interruption of supply affected the municipalities of Old Havana, Central Havana, Plaza de la Revolución, Cerro, and Diez de Octubre, as a direct consequence of the incident, which occurred in the afternoon on Saturday.
The flames, which originated around 5:00 PM in this underground substation located on Avenida del Puerto, caused a malfunction that left thousands of residents without electricity.
Although the service was restored at 12:35 a.m. this Sunday in the 20 affected circuits, the company reported that technical work is still ongoing on-site to ensure the stability of the system.
Images shared on social media showed dense columns of smoke rising from the Tallapiedra area as firefighting brigades and technical personnel worked tirelessly to control the fire and assess the damage.
The rapid spread of the images reflected the public's concern and the magnitude of the event, in a context already marked by frequent blackouts on the Island.
This new incident occurs amidst an especially critical day for the National Electric System (SEN), which since the early hours of Saturday has faced a maximum estimated impact of 1,560 MW, according to reports from the Cuban Electric Union.
The authorities have made official channels available to the public, such as Telegram, Facebook, and the phone line 18888, to provide more information about the situation.
The blackout prompted numerous reactions on social media, where many users expressed frustration and fatigue over the ongoing electrical issues in the Island, once again popularizing the phrase that encapsulates the sentiments of many Cubans: "It doesn't clear up!".
Meanwhile, monitoring continues on the status of the national electric system and the conditions of critical infrastructures such as Tallapiedra, which is vital for the supply in the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire at the Tallapiedra Substation and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What caused the blackout in Havana on April 12, 2025?
The blackout was caused by a fire at the Tallapiedra electrical substation, which affected the municipalities of Old Havana, Centro Habana, Plaza de la Revolución, Cerro, and Diez de Octubre. The interruption of electrical service was a direct consequence of the incident that occurred in the afternoon of April 12, 2025.
How long did the blackout in Havana last due to the fire?
The electric service was restored at 12:35 a.m. on Sunday, following the fire that occurred on Saturday at the Tallapiedra substation. However, technical work continues to ensure the stability of the system.
How has the energy crisis in Cuba affected the population?
The energy crisis in Cuba has severely impacted the daily lives of Cubans, compromising food refrigeration and basic services such as water supply and telecommunications. Additionally, the situation has generated frustration and fatigue among the population, who experience frequent power outages and a deficient electrical infrastructure.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to inform the public about the electricity situation?
The authorities have made available to the public official channels such as Telegram, Facebook, and the phone line 18888 to provide more information about the electrical situation on the Island. This measure aims to keep the population informed about the status of the electrical service and the recovery efforts.
What are the underlying causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is primarily due to the obsolescence of its electrical infrastructure, the lack of investment and maintenance, and fuel shortages. These issues are exacerbated by economic sanctions and have resulted in frequent power outages in recent years.
Filed under: