The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) announced on Thursday that the national electrical system remained disrupted throughout the previous day. At 9:40 p.m., during peak demand, the system faced a maximum capacity generation shortfall of 1,919 MW. Despite the island's recent addition of 24 new photovoltaic solar parks, which supplied 2,560 MWh and peaked at 574 MW around noon, renewable energy sources continue to fall short in mitigating the severe crisis plaguing the thermoelectric system.
As of 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, the national system's availability was at 1,750 MW, compared to a demand of 3,150 MW, resulting in a capacity deficit of 1,438 MW. By midday, the UNE projected that the shortfall would remain around 1,350 MW. The situation deteriorates further due to numerous breakdowns and maintenance work in the country's primary thermoelectric plants.
Thermoelectric Challenges and Fuel Shortages
Currently, several units are offline due to malfunctions, including the unit at CTE Guiteras, unit 4 of Energás Varadero, unit 6 of CTE Renté, and unit 2 of CTE Felton. Additionally, maintenance is underway at unit 2 of CTE Santa Cruz, unit 4 of the CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in Cienfuegos, and unit 5 of CTE Renté.
This is compounded by thermal limitations of 321 MW and a critical fuel shortage, which has sidelined 87 distributed generation centers (714 MW) and the Regla barge (55 MW), reducing generation capacity by 769 MW. For the evening peak, a slight recovery of 105 MW is expected, but availability will still only reach 1,855 MW against an estimated demand of 3,650 MW, creating a deficit of 1,795 MW and widespread impacts of up to 1,865 MW, according to UNE forecasts.
Prolonged Blackouts in Havana
The situation in the nation's capital has also been dire. Havana endured a power outage for 15 hours and 53 minutes yesterday, peaking at a 102 MW shortfall at 9:40 p.m. Electricity was finally restored at 6:00 a.m. this Thursday. Although some sectors were spared, power was cut during the early hours in reserve blocks.
Enduring Daily Challenges
The ongoing blackouts are severely disrupting daily life across the country. The inability to refrigerate food, cook, operate essential electrical appliances, or access digital services is fostering a climate of hopelessness and social frustration amid a deep economic crisis.
The energy uncertainty affects not only households but also medical services, small private businesses, and urban infrastructure, plunging much of the country into a seemingly endless darkness.
Understanding the Cuban Power Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a deficit in generation capacity, exacerbated by breakdowns and maintenance in major thermoelectric plants, as well as fuel shortages affecting distributed generation centers.
How are renewable energy sources impacting the crisis?
While Cuba has added new photovoltaic solar parks, the energy generated from renewable sources is still insufficient to significantly alleviate the overarching crisis in the thermoelectric system.
What are the consequences of these power outages?
The outages disrupt daily life, affecting refrigeration, cooking, and digital services. They also impact medical facilities, businesses, and urban infrastructure, contributing to widespread despair.