The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, reacted this Tuesday to the fifth total collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) so far in 2026 and assured that workers in the electrical sector are working to restore service "as soon as possible."
The new power outage occurred at 11:05 AM, as confirmed by the Electric Union (UNE), causing another national blackout just four days after the one recorded on July 10.
Hours later, Marrero reported on the social media platform X that he visited the National Cargo Office, where, he stated, recovery protocols were immediately activated.
"After the new disconnection of the SEN, we visited the National Cargo Office, where the protocols for recovery had already been activated immediately," the official wrote, accompanied by the hashtag #CubaNoSeRinde.
What caused the blackout?
According to the Prime Minister, the disconnection occurred due to a combination of technical failures.
"A frequency increase and Felton's exit caused this disconnection, which coincided with maintenance on the Battery Energy Storage System, located in the capital municipality of Cotorro," she noted.
The Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Plant (Felton), located in Holguín, has become one of the most vulnerable points in the Cuban electric system. During 2026 alone, its Unit 1 has gone offline several times, while Unit 2 remains out of operation and Block 2 continues in a rehabilitation process that began in 2019.
At the time of the collapse, the Battery Energy Storage System in Cotorro was also undergoing maintenance, an installation of 50 megawatts inaugurated on July 3 as part of the official plan to strengthen the stability of the National Electric System (SEN).
A crisis that shows no mercy
With this new breakdown, Cuba has experienced five national blackouts so far in 2026 and ten total disconnections from the National Electric System in approximately two years, reflecting the deep crisis affecting the country's electrical infrastructure.
The system continues to operate with a deficit of over 2,000 megawatts, while several thermal power units remain out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance, and dozens of generators are still inactive due to a lack of fuel.
The consequences are felt daily throughout the country. In several locations, power outages exceed 20 hours a day, while in some areas of Matanzas, interruptions have been reported lasting up to 87 consecutive hours without electricity.
At the end of his message, Marrero expressed his support for the workers in the electricity sector.
"We reaffirm our support and confidence in our colleagues from the National Cargo Office and the provincial offices, as well as all the electrical workers who are dedicated to restoring the National Electric System as quickly as possible," he wrote.
However, the new outage once again highlights the fragility of the Cuban electrical system, which continues to experience recurring failures despite the repairs and investments announced by the authorities in recent months.
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