Residents of Cuba should brace themselves for yet another day plagued by widespread blackouts, as alarming figures of power deficits underscore the severe energy collapse gripping the nation. The Cuban Power Company, known as Unión Eléctrica (UNE), has issued a forecast for Thursday predicting that, should current conditions persist, peak time disruptions could reach an unprecedented 2,065 megawatts (MW). This would surpass the previous record set on July 15, when the impact was 2,020 MW.
A New Record on the Horizon
The official report from UNE noted that yesterday, electricity service was disrupted for 24 hours and continued to be compromised throughout the early hours of today. The peak disruption yesterday was recorded at 1,864 MW at 10:20 p.m., aligning with the time of highest demand. On Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m., the National Electric System (SEN) had a mere availability of 1,280 MW, against a demand of 2,860 MW, resulting in an immediate shortfall of 1,608 MW. By midday, an impact of 1,450 MW is anticipated.
For the evening peak around 8:00 p.m., the outlook is even bleaker: with an estimated availability of 1,665 MW and a projected demand of 3,660 MW, the deficit could rise to 1,995 MW, with disruptions potentially escalating to 2,065 MW if operational conditions remain unchanged.
Power Plants Stalled, Maintenance Delays, and Fuel Shortages
The technical report highlights the dire state of Cuba’s energy infrastructure. Currently out of service due to malfunctions are:
- The six units at Energas Jaruco
- Unit 4 at Energas Varadero
- Unit 6 at the Mariel Thermal Power Plant
- Unit 2 at the Felton Thermal Power Plant
- Unit 5 at the Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant
- Unit 3 at the Renté Thermal Power Plant
Under maintenance are:
- Unit 2 at the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant
- The main unit at the Guiteras Thermal Power Plant
- Unit 4 at the Cienfuegos Thermal Power Plant
- Unit 5 at the Renté Thermal Power Plant
Additionally, 84 distributed generation plants are offline due to a lack of fuel, accounting for a further loss of 739 MW. This is compounded by 251 MW of limitations due to deterioration in thermal generation. Although the Energas Boca de Jaruco plant (290 MW) and Unit 6 at the Mariel Thermal Power Plant (95 MW) are expected to join the system, both are still in startup phases, and their impact remains uncertain.
Insufficient Solar Energy
UNE reported that the 21 new photovoltaic solar parks generated 1,845 MWh the previous day, with a peak output of 488 MW. However, this source fails to bridge the gap left by thermal generation, particularly as the highest demand occurs outside of daylight hours.
Cuban Government Admits Failure to Alleviate Summer Blackouts
On Wednesday, Manuel Marrero acknowledged before the National Assembly what everyone in the country already knows and endures daily: this summer would not be free of blackouts. Despite previous promises and plans to enhance the electric system, the Prime Minister admitted that July has begun not only with outages but record-setting deficits.
“We share the deepest dissatisfaction on this matter, one of the issues most impacting our people,” Marrero confessed, explaining that although 1,000 megawatts were recovered through distributed generation, fuel shortages and logistical problems prevent this capacity from translating into available electricity for the population.
Marrero added that efforts continue to find solutions for the remainder of the summer, though he refrained from providing details. He indicated that the Minister of Energy and Mines would offer a more comprehensive report. This report is expected to present a series of justifications to Cuban parliamentarians, despite assurances in May that the population would only face four hours of daily blackouts during the summer.
The Minister of Economy and Planning, Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, confirmed that the country maintains a fuel deficit that limits the functioning and maintenance of the electrical system, asserting that the recovery of the national electro-energy system remains a strategic priority.
Despite some supposed advances—more on paper than in reality—the Government acknowledges that during the second half of the year, power service disruptions will persist, as the country still lacks the capacity to fully meet demand. Structural problems, such as insufficient resources for major maintenance and the obsolescence of many generating plants, continue to exacerbate the situation.
With scorching temperatures in the peak of summer and an unrelenting energy crisis, public discontent is on the rise. The lack of electricity not only disrupts daily life but has severe repercussions on vital sectors like health, food production, and basic services. In many areas of the country, power cuts extend for several hours daily, and access to ventilation, refrigeration, and food cooking becomes a luxury. The collective frustration is compounded by the government's failure to provide concrete solutions, resorting instead to justifications without offering short- or medium-term resolutions.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the widespread blackouts in Cuba?
The blackouts are primarily due to a significant shortfall in power generation capacity, exacerbated by malfunctions, maintenance delays, and fuel shortages affecting the country's aging energy infrastructure.
How is the Cuban government responding to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the crisis and is reportedly working to find solutions, though detailed plans have not been disclosed. Efforts include attempts to increase power capacity through distributed generation and address logistical and fuel shortages.