Cuba Initiates Restoration of National Electric Power System Amid Ongoing Energy Crisis
Havana, Cuba – March 15, 2025
Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, announced today that the reestablishment of the National Electric Power System (SEN) is underway, with several provinces already regaining access to electricity. In a statement posted on X at 04:52 PDT, Rodríguez assured the public that "the Party and the Government are closely monitoring the current situation for its prompt recovery," signaling a coordinated effort to address the latest in a series of debilitating power outages.
The announcement follows a nationwide blackout triggered by a failure at the Diezmero substation on Friday night, March 14, 2025, at approximately 8:15 p.m. local time. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that the incident caused "a significant loss of generation in western Cuba," leading to the collapse of the national grid and plunging over 10 million residents into darkness. Restoration efforts began swiftly, with Rodríguez’s update indicating initial progress by early Saturday morning.
Cuba’s energy sector has faced mounting challenges, including aging infrastructure, fuel shortages, and external economic pressures, which have led to multiple grid failures in recent months. The most severe outages occurred in October 2024, when the island endured near-total blackouts for nearly a week, followed by additional disruptions during Hurricane Rafael in November. Friday’s blackout marks the third major collapse in less than six months, underscoring the fragility of the system.
While no official timeline for full restoration has been provided, the government’s focus remains on stabilizing the grid. Posts on X from sources like @RadioGranma and @CienfuegosXMas echoed Rodríguez’s statement, noting that units are being synchronized to strengthen localized microsystems, gradually expanding service coverage. However, the scale of the outage suggests that complete recovery could take days, depending on the extent of damage and resource availability.
The Cuban leadership has yet to specify long-term measures to prevent future blackouts, though global practices—such as modernizing infrastructure, adopting smart grid technology, and enhancing maintenance—could offer potential solutions. For now, the immediate priority is restoring power to homes, businesses, and critical facilities across the island.
As the situation develops, the government continues to face pressure to address both the immediate crisis and the underlying issues plaguing the National Electric Power System. Rodríguez concluded his statement with a rallying cry, "#CubaVencerá" (Cuba Will Overcome), reflecting official optimism amid adversity.
For updates, follow the Minister’s official X account: [BrunoRguezP](https://x.com/BrunoRguezP/status/1900877677923385369?s=08).
