Amid one of the most severe energy crises Cuba has faced in recent years, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) declared on Wednesday that the Antonio Guiteras (Matanzas) and Felton 1 (Holguín) power plants will be temporarily shut down before summer. This step is part of urgent maintenance efforts to prevent more significant breakdowns during the peak demand season.
Lázaro Guerra Hernández, the director of Electricity at Minem, confirmed this information, stating that the maintenance work aims to be brief to minimize technical risks, as reported by the state-run newspaper Granma. However, he cautioned that the Guiteras plant might need to cease operations again later in the year for major overhauls, potentially exacerbating the already fragile national electrical grid.
Official reports indicate that Cuba currently experiences daily power outages exceeding 1,600 MW during peak times, amidst a backdrop of fuel shortages, high consumption levels, and limited generation capacity. The island currently boasts an installed capacity of 1,993 MW in thermoelectric power, but it is anticipated that only about 1,120 MW will be available by July, with a slight increase expected in August.
Additionally, over 17 million household appliances and motorized devices were imported between 2018 and 2024, leading to a sustained increase in national electricity demand. This situation, combined with soaring temperatures and deteriorating infrastructure, has caused electrical transformers to fail, as recently witnessed in Havana, where 10 transformers collapsed in a single day.
Government Initiatives and Challenges
In parallel with the thermal crisis, the Cuban government is promoting the installation of solar photovoltaic energy, though it alone cannot replace the thermal capacity lost since 2019. It is projected that by January 2026, 51 solar parks with a total capacity of 1,115 MW will be operational. However, experts warn that solar generation is inconsistent and weather-dependent, lacking the stability needed for the system, prompting efforts towards hybrid solutions with batteries and distributed generation motors.
The goal for this summer, according to authorities, is to limit power disruptions to an average of 4 hours per customer per day. To achieve this, they aim to increase generation by 13 GWh daily while keeping consumption growth in check. However, the shutdown of key units like Guiteras and Felton creates uncertainty among the Cuban populace, already burdened by prolonged blackouts, a shortage of cooking gas, and increased strain on the electrical grid.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation continues on thermal blocks such as Felton 2, Mariel 7, Nuevitas 4, and Renté 4, though full recovery may take up to two and a half years and require an investment exceeding $70 million.
In a context of energy crisis, Cubans face a challenging summer with more blackouts on the horizon. The imminent shutdown of the Guiteras and Felton plants underscores the urgent need for structural investments and repairs.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why are the Guiteras and Felton power plants being shut down?
These plants are being shut down for urgent maintenance to prevent major breakdowns during the high-demand summer months.
What is Cuba's current power generation capacity?
Cuba has an installed capacity of 1,993 MW in thermoelectric power, but only 1,120 MW is expected to be available by July.
How is solar energy contributing to Cuba's power grid?
Solar energy is being promoted, with plans for 51 solar parks by 2026. However, its contribution is variable and weather-dependent, prompting hybrid solutions.