At 2:00 a.m. this Tuesday, the Las Tunas electric micro-island began operating. The system was created by linking the plants in the northern region of the province with those in the provincial capital, a crucial step in restoring electricity service after the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) the previous day.

The nearly 12 megawatts (MW) generated by the power plant supply the main health centers in the provincial capital. The two most important sources of drinking water and the hospital in the municipality of Puerto Padre are also receiving power. The provincial director of Health, Ariel Guevara Bringa, specified that, in addition to the healthcare facilities in the capital and the hospital in Puerto Padre, the rest of the hospitals are being maintained thanks to emergency response equipment.

Yordi Vega Espinoza, head of the Provincial Load Office of the Las Tunas Electric Company, told the press that some customers in the provincial capital had received at least two hours of service. In the morning, three circuits were rotated, allowing electricity to be restored to different areas of the city.

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

Just four hours after the system tripped, Las Tunas began creating a small power island. The activation of one of the batteries at a site in the provincial capital initially generated two MW. This first power supply provided electricity to one of the two water sources, the fishing and dairy processing plants, and the Radiocuba transmission center.

Around 10:00 a.m. this Tuesday, the Las Tunas Electric Company confirmed the expansion of the power island, which allowed service to be restored to circuit TK26. This line serves the Fishing, Dairy, and Radiocuba companies, as well as a portion of the TK10 circuit that supplies the Electric Company itself.

Following the expansion of the microsystem, service was extended to the Ernesto Guevara General Teaching Hospital, the Mártires de Las Tunas Provincial Pediatric Hospital, the Guillermo Domínguez General Teaching Hospital, and the Raymundo Castro Morales Municipal Pediatric Hospital in the municipality of Puerto Padre. The Cayojo water pumping station was also incorporated.

CIRCUIT ROTATION

Between dawn and morning on Tuesday, electrical service was provided to circuits TK106, TK2, TK29, TK7, and TK1, with approximately two hours of service on each circuit. This planned rotation has allowed different communities in the capital city to receive temporary electricity while full restoration progresses.

Service was also restored to the El Rincón water pumping station and the community of La Piedra. However, the Electric Company reported that circuits TK9 and 4220 are currently out of service. The head of the Provincial Load Office assured that circuit rotation will continue as the microsystem allows.

PROGRESS IN NATIONAL RECOVERY

The Electric Union specified that the restoration of service nationwide began in the western part of the country. The starting point was Jaruco, with the connection of the power units in that area, creating an island within the Western System. The Energy Storage System (ESS), a new generation technology that is now part of the National Electric System (SEN) recovery process, was also incorporated.

Nationwide, the Energas Varadero and Boca de Jaruco systems were generating power this morning.

Simultaneously, the Mariel 5 and Habana 2 units began startup, while the established protocols for the full restoration of the interconnected system continue. At 11:43 a.m., the National Electric Union reported that Unit 1 of the Ernesto Guevara De La Serna thermoelectric plant in Santa Cruz del Norte was online and ramping up its load, a positive indicator on the path to stability.

At dawn this Tuesday, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, explained the progress of the process via his social media accounts. "With the electrical system linked from Havana to Sancti Spíritus and the startup of the units at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant underway, our priority is to reach the Felton thermoelectric plant in Holguín province," stated the head of the sector.

De la O Levy indicated that the goal is to continue until the connection with the eastern part of the country is complete. "We are moving forward while complying with all established protocols," emphasized the minister, who has maintained constant communication with the public through digital platforms.

The blackout on Monday, July 6, 2026, adds to a series of adverse events that the National Electric Power System has faced in recent years. Since September 2022, Cuba has suffered six total blackouts, including those caused by natural disasters and breakdowns at major power plants.
The United States' economic embargo continues to affect Cuba's access to fuels such as diesel, essential for the operation of distributed generation. The restrictions also limit the acquisition of parts and components necessary for the maintenance of the electrical infrastructure, particularly thermoelectric power plants, many of which exceeded their design life decades ago.

Minister De la O Levy has repeatedly stated that the energy blockade prevents the purchase of technology and spare parts, as well as hindering transactions with international banks and supplier companies. This situation limits the capacity to maintain power plants in optimal condition and has contributed to the frequency of blackouts.

VITAL SERVICES PROTECTED

The priority of the electricity sector authorities, both nationally and provincially, has been to guarantee the protection of vital services. Hospitals, water supply centers, and food production companies have received preferential attention in the recovery process.

In Las Tunas, the combination of the batteries at the northern sites with those in the capital has allowed for a rapid response. The coordinated work between the Provincial Load Dispatch Center and the National Dispatch Center has been key to creating a micro-island capable of sustaining the essential demand of the territory in less than 24 hours.

The recovery process of the National Electric System (SEN) will continue over the next few hours with the progressive incorporation of more generating units. The connection of the Felton thermoelectric plant in Holguín, which occurred in the evening, is strategic for establishing the link with the eastern part of the country and completing the full restoration of the interconnected system.

Meanwhile, the provinces are keeping their microsystems operational and continuing circuit rotation protocols to ensure that the population receives at least some hours of electricity service. The complete restoration of the National Electric System (SEN) will depend on the stability of the operating units and their capacity to generate enough energy to meet national demand.

Authorities in the electricity sector have emphasized the need for public understanding given the severity of the situation. The recovery process, although progressing, requires time and strict adherence to technical protocols to prevent further collapses that could reverse the progress made.