Cubans are enduring yet another day of widespread power outages this Tuesday, amidst deepening distrust of official data and growing frustration from years of unresolved energy crises. The latest report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) revealed that Monday's actual power disruption exceeded the forecasted peak by nearly 100 MW.
While the UNE had predicted an impact of 1,862 megawatts (MW) for Monday, the actual maximum disruption reached 1,952 MW at 9:40 PM, further contributing to the widespread belief that official figures fail to accurately represent the true scale of the electrical collapse.
Today, the situation looks grim. As of 6:00 AM, the National Electric System's (SEN) availability was a mere 1,900 MW, against an estimated demand of 3,270 MW, resulting in an immediate deficit of 1,401 MW. For tonight's peak hours, an impact of up to 1,872 MW is anticipated if the partial input of seven engines at Regla's power barge (48 MW) materializes.
The 24 newly built solar parks only contributed 2,392 megawatt-hours (MWh) the previous day, with a peak output of 473 MW—insufficient to offset the outages or provide stability to the system. Additionally, numerous units remain offline due to breakdowns or maintenance, including units 6 at Mariel, 2 at Felton, 5 at Diez de Octubre, 3 and 5 at Renté, as well as Santa Cruz and Céspedes. Another 467 MW are out of service due to fuel shortages.
The public, weary from a relentless chronic crisis, openly questions the credibility of UNE's reports. Social media is flooded with accounts of blackouts that are longer and more frequent than reported, alongside narratives suggesting chaotic and inequitable planning.
Meanwhile, the regime under Miguel Díaz-Canel continues to channel millions into hotel and tourism infrastructure, as citizens endure daily power cuts, lacking reliable access to basic services like water and food refrigeration. The disconnect between the government's priorities and the people's actual needs only deepens the sense of despair.
With increasingly alarming statistics, the pressing question on the streets of Cuba isn't if there will be blackouts, but rather how many hours without electricity people will have to endure once again.
Havana's Energy Collapse: A City in the Dark
Havana's Electric Company confirmed that the capital experienced a 24-hour power disruption on Monday, with a peak outage of 128 MW at 9:40 PM. The service wasn't fully restored until 6:05 AM on Tuesday. According to the state entity's social media, even the reserve block (B1) was affected, signaling a clear operational collapse.
Additionally, the official blackout schedule for this Tuesday and the early hours of Wednesday, August 6, was released, with planned disruptions for all user blocks—including the reserve block—ranging from 2 to 4 hours throughout the day and night. The company reminded that even if a block isn't listed in the plan, it might still lose service if any breakdown occurs.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
The crisis stems from a combination of outdated infrastructure, maintenance issues, fuel shortages, and government mismanagement prioritizing tourism over energy needs.
How does the government respond to the energy crisis?
The government often releases optimistic forecasts and plans, but these are met with skepticism as the situation continues to deteriorate, with resources redirected to other sectors like tourism.
What are the public's main concerns regarding the blackouts?
The public is concerned about the reliability of electricity, the accuracy of official reports, and the lack of stable access to essential services such as water and food preservation.