A malfunction in the electrical grid of Havana caused a second massive failure in the distribution system on Thursday, leaving much of the Cuban capital practically in a general blackout within less than 24 hours.
The new incident, which may be associated with electrical discharges, triggered the malfunction of multiple high-voltage substations and caused crucial areas to become disconnected.
According to information from the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba through its official channels, the 110 kV substations in Naranjito, Apolo, Melones, San Agustín, Talla Piedra, and Príncipe were affected, leaving large areas of the city without electricity.
In addition, the Melones barges, floating generation units that supply part of the capital's electrical system, are out of service.
The entity also acknowledged that there was a "disconnection in several circuits of the capital" and that the causes of the incident are currently being investigated, while the service is being gradually restored.
This new blackout comes after an initial failure reported hours earlier by the state journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso, who warned of a critical situation in the National Electric System.
According to what he explained on his Facebook profile, early Thursday morning, there was a failure in the 110 kV line of the Melones facility, which caused that floating power plant to go offline and, consequently, led to the disconnection of other key infrastructures.
The failure also led to the shut down of unit 5 of the Mariel thermoelectric plant, the Boca de Jaruco facility, and a unit of Energás Varadero, with an estimated loss of 400 megawatts (MW) in generation.
Although a battery from the truck was later reintroduced, the system remained in a critical state, Alonso warned.
It was reported that both Unit 5 in Mariel and Boca de Jaruco were in the process of starting up, while the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas remained out of service, with its reconnection scheduled for this Friday.
According to the Unión Eléctrica, the country was facing one of the largest generation deficits on Thursday, with a shortfall of 2,065 MW during peak hours.
This figure confirmed a new negative record and suggested that blackouts would affect most provinces for at least twelve continuous hours, according to forecasts made prior to this new widespread outage in Havana.
In response to the system collapse, the Electric Company of Havana announced a redistribution of the affected blocks.
The new scheme aims to "balance the load" and reduce damage to overloaded transformers, but it means that areas previously less affected are now also facing frequent and prolonged outages.
This Thursday, it was also reported that thousands of families are without access to drinking water due to the suspension of pumping and treatment plants.
Power outages interrupted the water supply in several municipalities in Havana, particularly in communities that rely on mechanized sources for their daily needs.
Frequently asked questions about the energy crisis in Havana
What was the cause of the blackout in Havana?
The blackout in Havana was caused by a failure in the electrical grid, possibly related to electrical surges, which triggered the shutdown of multiple high-voltage substations and the disconnection of key areas of the city.
How does the energy crisis in Cuba impact basic services?
The energy crisis in Cuba has direct consequences on other basic services, such as the supply of drinking water, which has been interrupted due to the shutdown of pumping stations and treatment plants, impacting thousands of families.
What is the current status of the electrical system in Cuba?
The electrical system in Cuba faces a serious deficit in generation, with more than two thousand megawatts lacking during peak hours, which has resulted in prolonged blackouts in the majority of provinces.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the blackouts?
The Cuban government has announced a redistribution of the affected sectors to balance the load and reduce damage to overloaded transformers, although this has resulted in less affected areas now experiencing frequent and prolonged outages.
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