The Cuban government announced on Thursday that the nation will revert to the electricity blackout levels that were prevalent before the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant underwent maintenance. This announcement highlights the government's failure to meet its projected reductions in power outages for July and August. The underlying issue, according to Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy, remains a shortage of fuel—a challenge the government has yet to overcome.
Addressing lawmakers during the first plenary session of the fifth regular period of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP), De la O Levy stated that significant efforts have been made from the country's top leadership, yet effective solutions are still pending. He emphasized that the fuel supply remains the "most difficult problem to solve" due to high costs and external pressures, with no concrete plan or timeline for a stable recovery presented.
A recent malfunction in a 110 KV transmission line caused the shutdown of floating power units in Havana and impacted Energás units, temporarily worsening the power generation deficit. The minister noted that recovery of these units is underway, but blackouts will persist at pre-maintenance levels, far from an acceptable normality.
De la O Levy also acknowledged the slow progress in upgrading the electric grid under such strained conditions and significant financial needs, as reported by the state-run outlet Cubadebate. Despite isolated efforts to build solar parks (22 to date with a generation capacity of 481 MW) and recover some plants, the system remains vulnerable to unexpected failures and lacks stability guarantees.
While insisting on a "viable strategy" towards energy sovereignty, the minister admitted that much of the effort relies on ongoing projects, such as the installation of photovoltaic parks and the rehabilitation of thermal units using domestic fuels. Actions being implemented include restoring 850 MW in distributed generation, aiming for 1,400 MW in thermal generation, maintaining mobile generation, and recovering emergency generator groups.
He assured that the country has prioritized its scarce financial resources to support this program, both in USD and CUP, allocating over 30 billion pesos in national currency to back the executed actions. The Cuban government's 2025 investment budget reflected a partial shift in spending priorities, with a significant increase in renewable energies and debt amortization, although sectors like tourism still receive a considerable share, overshadowing investment in health and social assistance.
The "tourism first" approach has led to the systematic deterioration of other productive sectors, paralleled by the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN). Despite warnings from economists about the necessity to settle debts, decentralize payment schemes, and adjust supply to real demand, the government remains tied to an ineffective strategy. In the meantime, Cubans continue to endure relentless power outages without tangible relief.
The minister reiterated that the measures include a mix of savings, regulation of state consumption, and control over non-state economic actors, without elaborating on enforcement methods or the actual impact on the population. He also spoke of advancing a communication strategy to facilitate public understanding and support for these measures, aiming to promote rational energy use among consumers, yet did not mention accountability mechanisms or openness to public scrutiny.
Previously, when addressing the Industry, Construction, and Energy Commission of the parliament, De la O Levy reported that in June, the average blackout duration exceeded 20 hours. "We started July with 18 and last Friday, 11," he added. For the summer, he forecasted the entry of units from CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Cienfuegos), Santiago de Cuba, and Santa Cruz del Norte (Mayabeque), indicating an improvement but not an end to blackouts.
The official strategy relies on rhetoric of resilience and perseverance, yet the concrete outcome is the continuation of blackouts. For now, there is no end date in sight. The CTE Antonio Guiteras in Matanzas successfully synchronized with the National Electric System (SEN) on Friday night, following maintenance that had raised hopes for relief amid prolonged blackouts affecting the Cuban population.
Despite being the country's main thermal power plant, its operational return does not guarantee a significant reduction in blackouts. The issue, as acknowledged by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to the National Assembly this week, lies in a system crippled by fuel shortages, outdated technology, and logistical failures.
Recent weeks have seen images of entire Cuban families sleeping on the streets on makeshift mattresses under the sweltering heat, a direct consequence of the blackouts and the intense summer heat on the island.
Understanding Cuba's Ongoing Blackout Crisis
What caused the return to previous levels of blackouts in Cuba?
The return to previous blackout levels is primarily due to a fuel shortage, compounded by technical issues like a recent malfunction in a transmission line and ongoing maintenance challenges at the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant.
What efforts are being made to address Cuba's energy crisis?
Efforts to address the energy crisis include building solar parks, rehabilitating the electric grid, and restoring generation capacity. However, these efforts are hindered by financial constraints and the need for external resources.
How has the Cuban government's strategy affected other sectors?
The focus on tourism has led to the neglect of other productive sectors, contributing to the collapse of the National Electric System and affecting investments in health and social assistance.