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Cuba eastern provinces face major blackout due to grid oscillation
A major electrical disruption in eastern Cuba has left approximately 3.4 million people without power. The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) attributed the outage to an oscillation in high-voltage transmission lines, which caused the abrupt shutdown of several key thermoelectric units, including Unit 1 of the Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) plant, Unit 6 of the Diez de Octubre plant, and Unit 6 of the Antonio Maceo plant.
The incident affected provinces ranging from Holguín to Guantánamo, including Santiago de Cuba. This event marks the second partial blackout in Cuba this August and the seventh major disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN) in 2026. The country's energy infrastructure is under severe strain due to aging equipment and a fuel blockade imposed by the United States, which has significantly limited the import of essential fuels like diesel and fuel oil.
Despite the ongoing crisis, which has led to water shortages and impacts on transportation and industry, the Cuban government has announced that the school year will proceed on September 1. Education Minister Naima Trujillo noted that while the energy shortage presents a significant challenge for the 1.4 million students, the government will implement flexible policies regarding school hours and uniforms to accommodate the situation.
Entities
Cuba · Despacho Nacional de Carga · Donald Trump · Lidio Ramón Pérez · Miguel Díaz-Canel · Ministerio de Energía y Minas · Ministry of Energy and Mines · Naima Trujillo · United States · Unión Eléctrica · Unión Eléctrica de Cuba
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] The partial blackout affected 3.4 million people. reportediario.cl · www.telesurenglish.net · www.cubaheadlines.com · www.telesurtv.net
- [● 12 SOURCES] Provinces from Holguín to Guantánamo were disconnected from the national grid. www.14ymedio.com · www.directoriocubano.info · reportediario.cl · www.calibre800.com · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · +6 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Three thermoelectric units were taken out of service due to the oscillation. www.directoriocubano.info · reportediario.cl · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · ncscampeche.com · www.14ymedio.com · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Unit 6 of the Antonio Maceo plant was disconnected. www.14ymedio.com · www.directoriocubano.info · reportediario.cl · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · ncscampeche.com · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Unit 1 of the Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) plant was disconnected. www.14ymedio.com · www.directoriocubano.info · reportediario.cl · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · ncscampeche.com · +5 more
- [DISPUTED] Cuba has experienced seven complete blackouts in 2026. www.14ymedio.com · reportediario.cl · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · ncscampeche.com · www.telesurenglish.net · +2 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Unit 6 of the Diez de Octubre plant was disconnected. www.14ymedio.com · www.directoriocubano.info · reportediario.cl · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · ncscampeche.com · +5 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] A transmission line oscillation caused an extreme breakdown in the electrical system. www.14ymedio.com · reportediario.cl · www.calibre800.com · noticiasdehoy.com.mx · ncscampeche.com · +6 more