Relentless power outages persist across Cuba, leaving residents with little reprieve. The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) confirmed on Friday, July 4, that the National Electric System (SEN) remains in the throes of a severe crisis, with a deficit peaking at 1,767 MW on Thursday. This figure exceeds the anticipated 1,650 MW and highlights the system's extreme vulnerability.
According to UNE's official report, service disruptions persisted throughout Thursday and carried on into the early hours of Friday. At 10:20 pm, the highest demand spike was recorded, far surpassing planned levels. By 7:00 am on Friday, the situation remained critical, with only 2,020 MW available against a demand of 3,150 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,130 MW and service impact of 1,180 MW. By midday, UNE forecasts an impact of 1,100 MW.
The outlook for the evening peak offers little relief: a slight recovery of 60 MW is anticipated from distributed generation engines currently offline due to fuel shortages, and the activation of unit 3 at the Santa Cruz thermoelectric plant (CTE), which would contribute an additional 55 MW. Even with these additions, the estimated availability for the peak is a mere 2,135 MW against an expected demand of 3,600 MW, leaving a shortfall of 1,465 MW. As a result, an impact of up to 1,535 MW is forecasted for late afternoon and evening when most Cuban households attempt to use appliances and cook.
The Collapsed Network: A Mix of Failures and Shortages
The widespread blackout stems from numerous, compounding issues. Key incidents reported include:
- Malfunctions in two units of the Santa Cruz and Felton CTEs, alongside scheduled maintenance in three blocks of the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté CTEs.
- Thermal limitations that have taken 463 MW offline.
- Fuel shortages that have sidelined 103 distributed generation plants, losing a total of 862 MW, plus an additional 20 MW halted due to lack of oil.
In total, 882 MW remain unavailable due to energy supply issues. Meanwhile, solar energy falls short, with Cuba's 18 photovoltaic solar parks producing just 1,802 MWh, peaking at 424 MW delivered to the SEN at midday.
Havana's Struggle Amid the Crisis
The Havana Electric Company issued a statement noting that the city endured an average of 19 hours of outages on Thursday. Maximum impact was 87 MW at 11:50 pm, and while service was restored by 2:32 am Friday, stability remains precarious. This slight improvement averted planned outages for blocks 1, 2, 3, and 5 between 2:00 am and 10:00 am. However, the company warned that emergency cuts could be activated at any moment based on SEN demands.
A Grim Outlook for Energy Stability
Cuba is navigating one of its worst energy crises in recent history, with a deteriorated electric system heavily reliant on scarce fuels and teetering on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, the population endures prolonged blackouts amid extreme heat, with scant clear information on when relief might come. The promise of stable energy remains, for now, as intermittent as the power itself.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are caused by a combination of factors including malfunctions in power plants, scheduled maintenance, thermal limitations, and significant fuel shortages.
How severe is the electricity deficit in Cuba?
The electricity deficit in Cuba is severe, with recent figures showing a shortfall of over 1,700 MW, which has led to widespread and prolonged power outages.
What measures are being taken to address the power crisis in Cuba?
Measures to address the power crisis include attempting to bring offline generation units back into service and activating additional electricity sources, though these efforts provide limited relief due to fuel shortages.
How is the energy crisis affecting daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis significantly impacts daily life in Cuba, with residents facing prolonged blackouts, disrupting essential activities such as cooking and operating household appliances, especially during extreme heat conditions.