Severe Outages in Key Provinces
Camagüey tops the chart with 219 incidents, averaging 7.5 hours of power loss. The city of Camagüey alone reported 110 outages, each lasting about 7.8 hours. Other areas like Santa Cruz del Sur and Guáimaro faced even worse conditions, with average outage durations of 8.5 and 12.1 hours, respectively.
In Matanzas, the situation remains grim with 182 reported outages. The provincial capital saw 89 power cuts, averaging 7.4 hours each. Notably, Unión de Reyes and Limonar experienced longer interruptions, averaging 8.9 and 8.8 hours, respectively.
Turning to Granma, the power outages also averaged a significant 7.7 hours. The municipalities of Bayamo and Manzanillo were the hardest hit, with average durations of 7.9 and 8.4 hours. One extreme case in Yara reported an outage lasting an astonishing 15 hours.
Mapping the Outages
This data has been meticulously compiled by CiberCuba using a sophisticated system that analyzes social media comments and posts. Advanced AI and semantic analysis techniques help identify and verify outage reports, pinpointing both their locations and durations.
The interactive power outage map on our website offers a clear and detailed view of the electrical disruptions across the country. Blue markers show the location of each report, while the background color of the provinces changes depending on the average outage duration. Darker shades signify longer outages.
Daily Life Impact
The ongoing power cuts continue to plague Cubans, severely impacting daily activities and local economies. The frequency and duration of these outages exacerbate the already dire energy situation, in a context where demand far exceeds supply.
CiberCuba will keep monitoring the situation and updating the interactive map with the latest information from our users. We encourage you to check the map and share your reports to help keep everyone informed about this critical issue.
September's Power Crisis
In September 2024, Cuba's energy crisis escalated, with power outages heavily affecting provinces like Havana, Camagüey, Matanzas, and Granma. From the start of the month, the situation worsened, with a significant increase in the frequency and duration of blackouts, causing widespread frustration among citizens.
The month began with a forecast of continuous power outages. On September 2, the entire country experienced a day of blackouts, worsened by breakdowns in multiple thermoelectric units. The outages were unevenly distributed among provinces, sparking criticism of the government for perceived preferential treatment of Havana, where outages were shorter.
On September 5, a blackout in Havana left several municipalities without water due to a supply system failure, highlighting the interconnected crises of energy and basic services on the island. By September 11, the capital was still in critical condition, with many municipalities experiencing power cuts due to distribution system failures.
As the month progressed, the situation deteriorated further. On September 15, the Cuban Electric Union predicted disruptions approaching 900 MW, signaling a near-total collapse of the national electric system (SEN). Provinces like Camagüey, Matanzas, and Granma faced outages lasting up to 12 hours.
The crisis peaked again on September 18, with reports of over 1,000 MW deficit affecting several provinces and causing widespread public discontent. Despite the arrival of generators donated by China, the situation showed no signs of improvement. By September 20, power cuts continued in various provinces, including Villa Clara and Camagüey, where outages stretched beyond 10 hours.
Finally, on September 26, Cuba's energy crisis reached a new low, with an 800 MW deficit leaving much of the country without electricity during peak hours. Breakdowns in thermoelectric plants and fuel shortages were the primary causes of these outages, which continued to severely disrupt daily life for Cubans.