Cuban Regime Blames U.S. for Power Plant Deterioration in Cienfuegos

The Cuban government has once again pointed fingers at the U.S. embargo, holding it responsible for the severe issues plaguing the national electrical system, particularly the dire condition of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermoelectric Plant (CTE) in Cienfuegos. This plant currently has units out of commission amid the persistent blackouts affecting the population.

During the presentation of a report on the embargo's impact, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez claimed the CTE experienced "direct damage" when a foreign company refused to provide technical support, citing that its equipment contained over 10% U.S. components. This refusal, he argued, impeded urgent repairs on one of the key plants for maintaining power generation.

Rodríguez further emphasized that the embargo has resulted in substantial financial losses for the country. According to his data, damages in 2024 amounted to $7.556 billion, which—without such policies—could have facilitated a 9.2% GDP growth. "Two months of blockade cause $1.6 billion in damages, equivalent to the cost of the fuel needed to meet the country's normal electricity demand," he posted on X.

He also noted that just 12 days of embargo equate to $250 million, the same amount it costs to maintain the National Electroenergy System annually. However, these official figures stand in contrast to admissions from the government itself. In 2024, the economy contracted by 1.1%, and Economy Minister Joaquín Alonso acknowledged in July that "the current revenue is insufficient" even for basic needs like food, fuel, or essential maintenance of the electrical system.

The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant, once considered one of Cuba's most reliable, has now become a symbol of the energy sector's collapse. In recent months, it has suffered repeated breakdowns, missed deadlines, and prolonged repairs, exacerbating public frustration. In September, Unit 3 went offline due to a condenser failure, while Unit 4, disconnected since December 2024, has faced maintenance delays originally slated for completion in June but pushed to October 2025. Cracks in the boiler and issues with the superheater and reheater have kept this unit inactive, despite repeated promises from the Electric Union and sector authorities.

The situation has fueled public skepticism, especially after massive blackouts like the one on September 10, when the total collapse of the National Electroenergy System left nearly the entire island in darkness.

Internal Challenges and Structural Crisis

While the government continues to blame the embargo, independent economists argue that the electrical crisis also stems from internal factors such as lack of investment, low productivity, fiscal deficits, and an economic model unable to generate sustainable foreign exchange. Adding to this is corruption, with investigations revealing that military conglomerates like GAESA accumulate billions while the populace faces shortages.

The deterioration of the electrical system has a direct impact on daily life. Millions of Cubans endure daily outages that affect food preservation, disrupt education and work, and heighten social discontent. For many, blackouts have evolved from a temporary issue into tangible evidence of a system on the verge of collapse.

"Better they don't turn it on at all, because every time it starts, we're all left in the dark afterwards," quipped a social media user after yet another official announcement about the Cienfuegos plant. This statement encapsulates the prevailing sense of disbelief and exhaustion among a populace living between the darkness of power outages and the government's lack of effective responses.