On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) encountered one of its most challenging situations to date, with anticipated disruptions nearing 1,770 MW. This highlights a worsening trend over the past week. According to the official report from the Electric Union, Friday, June 20, saw power interruptions lasting 24 hours, continuing into the early hours of today. The highest recorded shortfall was 1,838 MW at 10:30 p.m., far surpassing expectations due to higher-than-expected demand and the unexpected shutdown of Mariel's Unit 6.
As of 7:00 a.m., available capacity was 1,750 MW against a demand of 3,120 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,389 MW, which is expected to remain close to this figure around midday with an additional impact of approximately 1,350 MW. Thermal limitations have led to 433 MW being out of service, and 81 distributed generation plants are non-operational due to fuel shortages, contributing to an 803 MW shortfall, along with another 80 MW affected by a lack of engine oil. Altogether, distributed generation faces an 883 MW deficit.
Outlook for Peak Hours
It is projected that during the peak evening hours between Saturday and Sunday, the unit 6 of the CTE Diez de Octubre will become operational with 100 MW, bringing the estimated peak availability to 1,850 MW. With a forecasted demand of 3,550 MW, the shortfall would rise to 1,700 MW, resulting in a total impact of 1,770 MW.
A Look Back: Previous Week's Challenges
On Father's Day (June 15), a peak deficit of 1,425 MW was recorded, with a maximum impact of 1,669 MW due to breakdowns at several thermoelectric plants and fuel shortages in distributed generators. The following day, power outages lasted up to 20 hours, disrupting daily activities, meal preparation, and the population's rest, with no improvement from the prior day.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Electric Union reported a demand of 3,000 MW in the morning with availability just reaching 1,810 MW (a deficit of 1,213 MW). During peak hours, the impact exceeded 1,700 MW. These figures indicate a growing deficit pattern, with peak hour impacts increasing from 1,669 MW on June 15 to over 1,729 MW by June 18, now dangerously nearing 1,800 MW this Saturday, showing a continuous decline.
Renewable Efforts and Energy Infrastructure Challenges
The 16 new photovoltaic parks have generated between 1,612 MWh and 1,748 MWh daily, with midday power peaks ranging from 368 MW to 412 MW. However, these contributions remain insufficient to offset thermal deficits, underscoring the fragility of Cuba's energy infrastructure.
The ongoing crisis in the SEN is deepening. The week concluded with a sustained increase in the deficit and more prolonged blackouts, increased pressure on thermal and distributed generation, and a clear inability of renewable additions to mitigate the impact. Without structural changes—such as expanding thermal capacity or genuinely accelerating renewable projects—the normalization of service will remain out of reach. Citizens will continue to endure ongoing and extended blackouts, with severe implications for daily life, health, and household economies.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the unexpected power outages in Cuba?
The unexpected power outages were primarily caused by a combination of higher-than-anticipated demand and the unforeseen shutdown of Mariel's Unit 6, along with insufficient fuel for distributed generation plants.
How is the current energy crisis affecting daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis is severely disrupting daily activities, including meal preparation and rest, due to prolonged power outages, which also have significant implications for health and household economies.
What steps are being taken to address Cuba's energy shortages?
Efforts include bringing additional units like the CTE Diez de Octubre's Unit 6 online and utilizing new photovoltaic parks, though structural changes such as expanding thermal capacity and accelerating renewable projects are crucial.