This Thursday, Cuba is set to endure another round of massive power outages, with an electricity deficit threatening to leave over 60% of the nation without power during peak usage times.
According to the Union Eléctrica's official report, as of 6:00 am, the National Electric System (SEN) had a mere 970 MW available against a demand of 2,650 MW, already leaving 1,650 MW affected at that early hour.
By midday, the forecast is set for a 1,700 MW shortfall, while the evening peak looks even bleaker: the UNE estimates only 1,015 MW will be available to meet a demand of 3,050 MW, resulting in a deficit of 2,035 MW and an expected impact of 2,075 MW.
Wednesday's situation was equally dire.
The UNE admitted that "service was disrupted due to capacity deficits throughout the 24-hour period, with outages continuing through the early morning hours," reaching a peak shortfall of 2,081 MW at 8:50 pm.
Capital City Faces Severe Challenges
Issues in the capital are particularly severe. Havana's Electric Company reported that on Wednesday, service was interrupted for 24 hours, with a maximum impact of 538 MW at 10:40 pm.
"Emergency circuit shutdowns were necessary, affecting 185 MW. It was not possible to restore service," the company stated on Facebook.
As of the report's close, the six emergency blocks and circuits—totaling 454 MW—remained offline with no estimated restoration time.
Underlying Causes of the Crisis
The causes of this collapse are manifold, highlighting the structural decay of Cuba's power grid. The UNE reports malfunctions in four units of the Máximo Gómez, Ernesto Guevara, Antonio Guiteras, and Lidio Ramón Pérez thermoelectric plants, with 307 MW out of service due to technical issues.
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the country's most powerful, remains the hardest hit, having been offline since June 15 due to its 15th malfunction of the year. Repairs, involving the replacement of over 100 defective weld seams, are estimated to take at least five more days, according to the state company.
Additionally, 106 distributed generation stations are halted due to fuel shortages, rendering 890 MW unavailable. The Regla and Melones barges, along with the Mariel and Moa fuel plants, are also out of service, bringing the total unavailable MW from this issue to 1,203 MW. This underscores Cuba's chronic shortage of diesel and fuel oil.
Small Relief from Solar Energy
As a minor reprieve, the 54 recently installed solar parks contributed 3,486 MWh on Wednesday, with a peak power output of 444 MW at midday.
For the evening peak, the UNE plans to add a mere 45 MW from completing Energás Jaruco's Unit 6, a marginal contribution against a deficit exceeding 2,000 MW.
The Cuban regime blames the crisis on the U.S.'s "petroleum siege," deflecting responsibility from decades of underinvestment, corruption, and inefficiency that have led to the grid's collapse.
Meanwhile, provinces like Granma are experiencing blackouts lasting up to 72 consecutive hours, while some municipalities in Matanzas have faced 85 hours without electricity.
This year's record deficit was recorded on May 14, with 2,174 MW, when nearly 70% of the country was simultaneously without power, a mark that could be nearly matched this Thursday if predicted conditions persist during peak hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Power Outages
What is causing the widespread power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are primarily due to the deteriorating state of Cuba's electrical infrastructure, compounded by technical failures, a chronic shortage of fuel, and insufficient investment.
How is the Cuban government responding to the electricity crisis?
The Cuban government attributes the crisis to U.S. sanctions, specifically the so-called "petroleum siege," while ongoing efforts are being made to repair and maintain existing infrastructure.
What measures are being taken to mitigate the power shortages?
Cuba is attempting to alleviate the shortages by completing repairs on key power plants and utilizing solar energy, although these measures provide only limited relief.