Alfredo López Valdés has been relieved of his duties as the head of the Union Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) and has been appointed as the director of energy at the Ministry of Economy and Planning. This change was confirmed by López Valdés himself during an interview on the Cuban television program Mesa Redonda.
The shift in his position prompted widespread speculation among media outlets and journalists prior to López Valdés's public confirmation.
López Valdés addressed the rumors directly: "I have just been appointed as the director of energy at the Ministry of Economy. I start on Monday. The new role continues within the energy sector, as energy encompasses not just electricity but also fuel."
In his new capacity, López Valdés will be responsible for overseeing the planning and management of Cuba's energy activities as a whole.
"The Ministry of Economy's responsibilities include planning, implementing, and monitoring the plan. In this context, it would involve the energy sector broadly," he elaborated.
López Valdés emphasized the importance of ensuring that the development policies for the electric industry are implemented across all sectors of the economy: "Being the director of energy at the Ministry of Economy and Planning means ensuring that the development strategy for the electric industry is applied across all economic sectors."
He acknowledged the challenging situation: "We must understand the difficult times we are experiencing with energy," adding that effective planning should ensure that "the limited resources available are allocated where they will have the greatest impact."
López Valdés assumed the leadership of the UNE in October 2022, following the dismissal of former director Jorge Armando Cepero Hernández, also amid an energy crisis.
His successor at UNE is Rubén Campos Olmo, who previously managed the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas.
Campos Olmo's appointment was announced on March 21 during the institution's 38th anniversary celebration.
This leadership change comes at a particularly dire time for Cuba's electrical system. On Friday, power outages exceeded 1,333 MW of maximum impact, and this Saturday, a Frequency Automatic Shutdown occurred in Havana, marking the sixth such incident in 2026.
During his tenure at UNE, López Valdés oversaw the installation of over 50 solar parks and 1,000 MW of solar capacity within a single year, although the deterioration of the thermoelectric system continued to worsen.
Between January and March 2026, Cuba experienced at least three total collapses of the national electrical system, including a 29-hour blackout on March 16.
When asked how he feels when the power goes out in his own home, López Valdés candidly replied: "It feels like I haven't done enough to ensure there's more power. That's what I keep thinking about."
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why was Alfredo López removed from his position at UNE?
Alfredo López was removed from his role as head of UNE and appointed as the director of energy at the Ministry of Economy due to ongoing challenges in Cuba's energy sector.
What are the new responsibilities of Alfredo López at the Ministry of Economy?
In his new role, Alfredo López will be responsible for planning and managing Cuba's overall energy activities, including both electricity and fuel.
Who is replacing Alfredo López at UNE?
Rubén Campos Olmo, who previously managed the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, has been appointed as the new head of UNE.