This past Saturday, a significant power outage left various parts of Cuba's capital, including Old Havana, Centro Habana, El Cerro, 10 de Octubre, and Plaza, without electricity. The blackout was attributed to a fire at the Talla Piedra electrical substation located on Salud Street.
The blaze, which occurred in an underground substation, disrupted the power supply, leaving thousands of residents without electricity. Authorities relayed this information through a statement on Telegram.
Havana's Electric Company issued a concise notice to inform affected consumers that the outage was caused by the fire, assuring them that efforts are underway to restore power as soon as possible. "Good afternoon to consumers in Old Havana, Centro Habana, Cerro, 10 de Octubre, and Plaza. You are experiencing disruptions due to a malfunction at the Talla Piedra substation caused by a fire. Service will be restored promptly upon completion. We apologize for the inconvenience," the announcement read.
Numerous Havana residents had already reported widespread power outages throughout the city, while others highlighted the island's persistent struggles with a now common phrase: "It never stops raining!"
Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) was already facing a critical day on Saturday, with a peak disruption estimated at 1,560 MW, according to a morning report from the Electric Union (UNE).
Electric service interruptions began to be reported from 5:04 a.m. on Friday and persisted throughout the early hours of Saturday.
Key Questions About Havana's Power Outage
What caused the power outage in Havana?
The power outage in Havana was caused by a fire at the Talla Piedra electrical substation.
Which areas of Havana were affected by the blackout?
The blackout affected Old Havana, Centro Habana, El Cerro, 10 de Octubre, and Plaza.
How long did the power outage last?
Power interruptions began at 5:04 a.m. on Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday.