A supposed electrical discharge caused a massive blackout this Sunday in the Cuban resort town of Varadero, plunging the area into complete darkness. However, the Matanzas Electric Company managed to resolve the issue "in a matter of minutes."
Official journalist José Miguel Solís reported the incident on his social media, referring to information provided on Telegram by the state company responsible for the service in the renowned tourist area.
Quick Response from Matanzas Electric Company
"A 110 kV line in Varadero was triggered due to an atmospheric electrical discharge. The service was restored in a few minutes, as reported by the Matanzas Electric Company's Telegram channel," said Solís in a Facebook post.
The swift actions taken by the state company's operatives to restore power in Varadero contrast sharply with the usual lengthy repair times for outages caused by weather events in other parts of the country.
At the end of September last year, a lightning strike in Santa Clara caused disruptions at an electrical substation, leaving several circuits in the capital of Villa Clara without power.
The incident was reported on social media by official journalist Henry Omar Pérez, who attributed the massive blackout to a "thunderbolt" caused by storms that brought precipitation and electrical activity to the central region of the country.
"A thunderbolt caused a malfunction at the Gran Panel Substation in our city. A large group of circuits was affected. Joint forces are working to resolve the issue immediately," reported Pérez.
The information provided did not specify the number of circuits or households affected by the incident, which left users without electricity for hours.
In July 2023, experts and executives from the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) noted the recurring nature of electrical discharges throughout the year, with greater intensities than reported in previous summers.
Eleazar Moreno Ricardo, Director of Networks at UNE, commented that the frequency and intensity of the recent season's electrical storms caused malfunctions in the systems, "even though they have protection systems that are maintained on a timely basis."
"We need to review our systems to see what more we can do to prepare for these times... which are more intense than what we usually experience," said Moreno Ricardo under the watchful eye of the Chief of the National Civil Defense Staff, Major General Ramón Pardo Guerra.
As a premier tourist destination for the Cuban regime, it is extremely rare for blackouts to occur in Varadero. The resort's connection to the national electric grid (SEN) is bolstered by a special supply of electricity from the Energás Varadero plant.
In September 2022, after a massive blackout left the entire island in darkness, the circuit that supplies power to Varadero struggled to be restored due to technical issues caused by the total collapse of the SEN.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electrical Outages in Varadero
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the recent power outages in Varadero and the response from the Matanzas Electric Company.
What caused the recent power outage in Varadero?
The recent power outage in Varadero was caused by an atmospheric electrical discharge that triggered a 110 kV line.
How quickly was the power restored in Varadero?
The Matanzas Electric Company managed to restore power in Varadero within a few minutes of the outage.
Why are power outages rare in Varadero?
Power outages are rare in Varadero because the resort is connected to the national electric grid and also receives a special supply of electricity from the Energás Varadero plant.