Forest fires caused the big blackout on Tuesday, according to Unión Eléctrica de Cuba

The great blackout that affected more than half of Cuba this Tuesday had its causes in “two breakdowns caused by forest fires” close to high-voltage cables, according to the electrical union (UNE).

The faults affected 220 kV lines and left without electricity from Cienfuegos to Guantánamo. After midnight the system had been restored, as explained on Wednesday on state television by the technical director of UNELazaro Guerra.

The specialist indicated that at the time of his television presentation there were no blackouts due to capacity deficit, although a shortage of 484 Mw is expected for today’s peak hours.

The service interruption yesterday was the third in nine days. Last Saturday another similar blackout occurred that affected Guantánamo from Matanzas for six hours. According to UNE, it was a human error.

Another cut left without service from Sancti Spíritus to Guantánamo a week ago, but due to a fire in a rural area, the authorities explained then.

On September 27, another massive blackout was recorded, after Category 3 Hurricane Ian passed through the west of the island. On that occasion, the Government confirmed that a point of “zero generation” of electricity had been reached and a good part of the country spent practically a week without electricity.

The Cuban electrical system is going through a precarious and complex situation, reflected last year in daily blackouts that lasted up to 12 hours in some regions and sometimes affected almost 40% of the country.

Without electricity from Cienfuegos to Guantánamo

Blackouts have decreased significantly since the second half of December, and have remained at lower levels in the first weeks of 2023, with effects below 10% during peak demand hours.

However, these three large cuts have once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Cuban electrical system.

Efe/OnCuba.