Cuba reconnects national grid but expects widespread power cuts

Cuba restored its National Electroenergetic System (SEN) early Wednesday, more than 36 hours after a nationwide blackout. However, the country is still grappling with its ongoing energy crisis, with 66% of the nation expected to experience planned power outages during peak hours on Wednesday.

The state-run Electric Union (UNE) announced that all provinces were reconnected to the grid by 1:10 AM local time. This blackout was the third to affect the entire country in 2026, highlighting the precarious state of Cuba's energy infrastructure.

Since mid-2024, Cuba has been mired in a deep energy crisis, worsened by U.S. oil sanctions. The government has described the SEN's situation as "critical" and "extremely tense." For Wednesday's peak demand period, UNE projected a generation capacity of 1,083 megawatts against a demand of 3,100 megawatts, resulting in a deficit of 2,017 megawatts.

Eleven of the 16 thermoelectric generation units are currently offline due to breakdowns or maintenance. This is attributed to the obsolescence of the island's thermoelectric plants, many of which are decades old and lack necessary investment. These plants are responsible for 40% of the energy mix, relying on domestic crude oil. Another 40% of the mix, dependent on imported diesel and fuel oil, is halted due to shortages caused by U.S. pressure. The remaining 20% comes from gas and renewable sources, partly with Chinese support. Independent estimates suggest $8 to $10 billion is needed to revitalize the grid.