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The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba announced this Thursday that Artemisa and Granma have been reconnected to the National Electric System (SEN), following the total collapse that left the entire Island without electricity on Wednesday.
The event was presented by the authorities as a technical achievement, although in reality it highlights the fragility of a system that cannot sustain itself without nationwide blackouts every few months.
Shortly after, it was reported that Guantánamo was also able to join the system.
The news was announced just an hour after the electrical microsystem of the province of Granma collapsed for the second time since the country experienced the general blackout that began on Wednesday morning.
This Thursday, the Electric Union (UNE) detailed what happened in Granma, where a hybrid generation microsystem was launched, led by equipment in Manzanillo, Bayamo, and Niquero, alongside the incorporation of solar inverters in local photovoltaic parks.
The technical director of the provincial Electric Company, Osvany Núñez Peña, specified that at one point, 27 MW were successfully supplied, which were allocated to supply hospitals and ensure water pumping to Bayamo and Manzanillo.
However, the apparent stability was fleeting: at 4:58 PM on that Wednesday, the photovoltaic system disconnected due to disturbances, leaving the area once again in the dark.
The partial restoration took more than half an hour and again relied on diesel plants, facing serious fuel limitations. In the early morning, Granma could only supply between 11 and 16 megawatts, a figure inadequate for a province of nearly 800,000 inhabitants.
Núñez Peña warned that microsystems are not robust and that any disruption can lead to their disconnection.
The partial reconnection of Artemisa and Granma occurs shortly after Santiago de Cuba restored its service, after more than 24 hours in darkness.
In that case, the official announcement was as brief as it was triumphant, although the state media themselves had to acknowledge that "the generation capacity deficit persists" and that only a few circuits had been restored.
The truth is that Cuba began to generate only 1,000 MW this Thursday at 6:00 am, while the actual demand far exceeds 3,000.
Entire provinces remained completely in the dark, and intermittent blackouts were the norm even in the "reconnected" areas.
This is already the fifth nationwide blackout in less than a year and the second one in 2025, a record that highlights the government's inability to ensure a stable electricity service.
Since 2024, the Guiteras has collapsed several times, in addition to failures in substations, transmission lines, and the impact of natural phenomena such as Hurricane Rafael.
Despite the official speeches that celebrate the reconnection of provinces, the reality is that the country remains mired in uncertainty.
The outdated energy infrastructure, the lack of real investment, and the reliance on makeshift solutions condemn millions of Cubans to live with blackouts and unfulfilled promises.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Massive Blackout in Cuba
What caused the massive blackout in Cuba in September 2025?
The massive blackout was caused by the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas, leaving the entire island without electricity. The failure of this plant, which is the largest in the country, led to the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN), highlighting the fragility of the Cuban energy system.
How is the energy crisis in Cuba being addressed?
The Cuban government has implemented "micro-systems" for electricity in an attempt to restore service in critical areas, such as hospitals and water distribution centers. However, these solutions are temporary fixes that do not address the root of the problem, which is the obsolescence and lack of investment in the country's energy infrastructure.
Why are power outages frequent in Cuba?
The frequency of blackouts in Cuba is due to obsolete and poorly maintained energy infrastructure. The country relies on old thermoelectric plants that fail regularly and on a distributed generation system that cannot meet national demand. The lack of investment and proper planning has worsened the situation.
What is the current electricity generation capacity in Cuba?
Currently, Cuba generates approximately 1,000 megawatts, well below the actual demand that exceeds 3,000 megawatts. This has led to massive and prolonged power outages, severely impacting the population and basic services.
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