In a candid acknowledgment of public discontent, Cuba's Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, addressed the media yesterday, admitting the widespread dissatisfaction caused by persistent power outages. During the press conference, he described the island's current energy situation as "acute and critical."
"We are aware of the frustration due to the power cuts," De la O Levy admitted, adding that "no electric system is designed to create blackouts," marking one of the regime's most straightforward admissions about the crisis's impact on the populace.
According to the state-run outlet Cubadebate, the immediate cause of the intensified outages was a halt in fuel deliveries. Since December 2025, Cuba had not received any fuel shipments until recently.
The sole exception was a donation from Russia of 100,000 tons of crude oil—approximately 730,000 barrels—which arrived in late March aboard the tanker Anatoli Kolodkin. This shipment provided temporary relief, resulting in a few blackout-free days in Havana, but it was depleted by late April and early May.
"This happened nearly four months after the last fuel shipment arrived in Cuba," the minister emphasized, highlighting the severe shortage.
At the time of the press briefing, the electrical grid was operating without any fuel reserves, with rising temperatures and increased electricity demand due to the summer season.
"The situation is very tense. Temperatures continue to rise. We need fuel. While private entities are bringing some in, the volumes are insufficient," warned De la O Levy.
In Havana, the province with the most protected circuits, power outages extended up to 20 to 22 hours daily, with only two hours of electricity.
On Wednesday night, the projected deficit surpassed 2,000 MW, with a mere 1,230 MW available against a demand of 3,250 MW.
The fuel scarcity is compounded by the deteriorating infrastructure. The Felton thermoelectric plant in Holguín was taken offline on Monday due to boiler leaks and a broken bearing in the regenerative air heater.
"If it continued operating like this, the unit would be completely damaged," the minister explained, justifying the plant's shutdown.
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the largest in Cuba, had its eighth outage of the year on May 5, suffering from severe wear after 38 years of operation without major maintenance.
While the minister blamed the crisis on the U.S.'s "rigid energy blockade," his own data pointed to decades of infrastructure neglect and disrupted supplies from Venezuela since November 2025 and Mexico since January 2026.
Cuba produces only 40,000 barrels of oil daily but requires between 90,000 and 110,000, relying on imports for 60% of its needs.
The electrical system has experienced seven total collapses in 18 months, including a national blackout on March 16, 2026, that left the entire island without power for 29 hours and 29 minutes.
Addressing the situation at the Felton plant, the minister offered cautious optimism: "Work is progressing, and we expect to conduct a hydraulic test on the boiler tomorrow to ensure all welding jobs are correct and there are no leaks," he noted, warning that the subsequent restart process could take several additional hours.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is the main cause of power outages in Cuba?
The main cause of the power outages in Cuba is the severe shortage of fuel, exacerbated by a halt in fuel deliveries since December 2025, coupled with deteriorating infrastructure.
How has the Cuban government responded to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the public's frustration and is working on infrastructure repairs and seeking fuel from private sources, despite these efforts being insufficient to meet current needs.
What role does international aid play in Cuba's energy situation?
International aid, such as the recent oil donation from Russia, has provided temporary relief to Cuba's energy crisis, highlighting the country's dependency on foreign fuel imports.
What are the future prospects for Cuba's energy infrastructure?
Cuba's energy infrastructure faces significant challenges, requiring major investments and repairs to improve reliability and reduce dependency on imported fuel.