The severity of Cuba's energy crisis has reached alarming new heights, with figures that underscore the dire situation. On Saturday, June 29, the nation experienced an unprecedented power shortfall of 1,936 megawatts (MW), marking the worst day of the year in a series of catastrophic failures of the National Electric System (SEN).
According to the official report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), this massive 2,000 MW disruption occurred at 9:40 p.m., during peak demand hours, plunging millions of Cubans into darkness at the most challenging time of the day. The blackout extended throughout the entire day and persisted into the early hours of Sunday. By 7:00 a.m., the actual available capacity stood at a mere 1,625 MW, in stark contrast to a national demand of 3,100 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 1,467 MW. By midday, UNE predicted an even greater deficit of 1,650 MW.
Technical Challenges and Maintenance Issues
The technical condition of the energy infrastructure continues to deteriorate. Four crucial power generation units are currently out of operation due to breakdowns—specifically at Mariel, Nuevitas, and Felton—while three others are undergoing maintenance with no clear timeline for their return. Thermal limitations have further removed 356 MW from service.
The Fuel Dilemma Compounding the Crisis
Exacerbating the situation is the persistent fuel shortage, which has sidelined 111 distributed generation plants (860 MW), along with an additional 31 MW due to a lack of lubricants. In total, 891 MW remain inactive due solely to resource shortages.
Attempts to Alleviate the Nighttime Peak
In an effort to mitigate the crisis during the evening peak, UNE plans to bring several smaller units online to contribute an additional 292 MW, including units at Mariel 6, Diez de Octubre 6, Energás Jaruco and Varadero, and 40 recovered distributed engines. Nevertheless, the outlook remains grim for Sunday, with a projected deficit of 1,683 MW and an estimated shortfall of 1,753 MW during peak hours.
Solar Energy: A Partial Solution
While 18 solar photovoltaic parks are generating 1,775 MWh, they remain an inadequate stopgap against a crisis rooted in thermal and financial mismanagement. Cuba is not only enduring frequent blackouts but is also edging closer to a total energy collapse, with a government incapable of providing tangible solutions as the population endures the darkness.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
What caused the record power outage in Cuba?
The record power outage was primarily due to a significant shortfall in electricity generation, compounded by technical failures and maintenance issues in key power plants, as well as persistent fuel shortages.
How is the Cuban government addressing the energy crisis?
The government is attempting to alleviate the crisis by bringing smaller power units online and utilizing solar energy. However, these measures are insufficient to address the underlying structural and resource challenges.
What are the main factors behind Cuba's energy crisis?
The energy crisis in Cuba is largely due to outdated infrastructure, lack of maintenance, fuel shortages, and financial mismanagement, which have all contributed to frequent and severe power outages.