The Cuban government has once again pledged to address the nation's energy crisis, this time pinning its hopes on gas as a solution by 2026.
Vicente de la O Levy, the Minister of Energy and Mines, announced on state television that the country anticipates starting the next year with a "higher level" of gas production and electricity generation.
A report from the Cuban News Channel highlighted the minister's admission that gas production, essential for electricity generation and cooking in Havana, has decreased in recent years due to a lack of funding. Nevertheless, he continued to blame the U.S. embargo for hindering Cuba's access to international credit resources.
"We will begin 2026 with gas production surpassing that of 2025, which gradually increased throughout the year," the minister stated, offering no concrete figures or explanations on how this proposed increase would be financed.
Furthermore, the minister acknowledged that domestic oil production and the operation of thermal power plants still fall short of meeting demand, despite claims of sector "recovery."
During his address, he justified the decision to delay maintenance on the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas due to the poor technical condition of the Felton plant in Holguín, one of the nation's key energy facilities.
He elaborated that taking both of the country's "most powerful units" offline simultaneously would be "unsustainable," which is why the maintenance of Guiteras will occur briefly at the beginning of 2026, with hopes that it can endure the summer.
Nevertheless, he admitted that Felton remains unstable and might require an extended shutdown, potentially worsening power outages.
The Energy Minister defended the regime's efforts, stating that it "has not stopped working" on projects to repair Felton 2, construct new units in Nuevitas and Mariel, and replace boilers. However, he conceded that investments are slow and rely on scarce resources and deals with "friendly countries."
While the government persists in attributing power cuts to the embargo and lack of external funding, the population continues to endure up to 10-hour daily power outages, domestic gas shortages, and energy bills that do not reflect the reality of their incomes.
The government's official focus on gas, touted as "strategic," appears more a necessity for survival than a sustainable solution.
With an outdated thermal network, deteriorated refineries, and no liquidity to import fuel, the regime attempts to buy time by promising an energy boost that lacks technical or financial support.
In a country plunged into darkness and dissatisfaction, the promise of more gas by 2026 seems as fragile as the flame many Cubans strive to keep burning in their kitchens.
The regime's promises of improved gas production for 2026 starkly contrast with its own public acknowledgments of the country's ongoing energy collapse.
Officials from the electricity sector have openly admitted that blackouts will persist, noting that the upcoming year "will be tough" with insufficient capacity to meet the national electricity demand.
Despite announcements of increased liquefied gas production, Minister Vicente de la O Levy admitted on state television that investments in generation still depend on agreements with "friendly countries" and that the maintenance of critical plants like Guiteras and Felton is compromised.
The so-called energy strategy lacks both technical and financial backing, while the crisis continues to impact households.
Even from an economic standpoint, official projections are grim. The government has already indicated that 2026 will be a challenging year, with limited state capacity to respond due to a lack of income, low internal productivity, and accumulated structural issues.
These messages, far from instilling confidence, confirm the prolongation of a crisis affecting all essential areas of life in Cuba.
The Future of Cuba's Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily attributed to outdated infrastructure, lack of investment, and external factors like the U.S. embargo restricting access to credit and fuel imports.
How does the Cuban government plan to address the energy issues by 2026?
The Cuban government plans to increase gas production and invest in energy projects with the help of agreements with "friendly countries," although these plans face financial and technical challenges.
Will the Cuban population see immediate relief from power outages?
Immediate relief is unlikely, as officials have admitted that blackouts will continue due to insufficient capacity and ongoing infrastructure issues.