This Sunday, Cuba is bracing for another severe electricity crisis, potentially marking the worst in its history.
According to the Electric Union's report, a nighttime peak power deficit is anticipated to reach 2,200 MW, with an expected shortfall of 2,230 MW. This stems from a meager availability of just 1,000 MW compared to a projected demand of 3,100 MW.
If these projections hold true, Sunday could surpass the previous record of 2,208 MW set on June 25, marking a new low in the nation's recent electrical history.
On Saturday, the power grid was already operating under extreme strain. The service experienced disruptions throughout the day, peaking at 2,201 MW at 10:00 pm, impacting every province without exception.
Even the capital was not spared from the collapse.
Havana's Electric Company confirmed that on Saturday, the city faced outages throughout the day, with a peak disruption of 605 MW at 11:00 pm. "Restoring service was not possible," the company warned, noting that 448 MW remained affected at the close of their report.
Widespread Failures in Power Plants
The list of breakdowns contributing to this disaster is extensive. Outages have hit two units at the Máximo Gómez thermoelectric plant in Mariel, the Antonio Guiteras plant in Matanzas, another unit at the Diez de Octubre plant in Nuevitas, and one at the Lidio Ramón Pérez in Felton (Holguín).
Adding to the woes are maintenance operations at the Máximo Gómez, Ernesto Guevara (Santa Cruz), Antonio Maceo (Santiago de Cuba), and Diez de Octubre plants, further reducing available capacity.
Distributed generation offers little relief, with 106 power stations offline due to fuel shortages, including the Patana de Regla, the Patana de Melones, the Central Fuel in Mariel, and the Central Fuel in Moa.
On Saturday, 54 photovoltaic solar parks generated 4,679 MWh with a maximum output of 709 MW. However, their contribution is negligible during the nighttime peak demand, when the crisis intensifies.
Structural Issues Ignored by the Regime
The root of the problem is structural, and the regime has ignored it for years. The CTE Antonio Guiteras, out of operation for 48 hours, has been in use for over 38 years without major maintenance since 2010 and has experienced 17 shutdowns in 2026 alone.
Román Pérez Castañeda, director of the Electric Union, acknowledged the need for definitive repairs but admitted, "the country's situation still doesn't allow it."
Vicente de la O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines, promised major maintenance by the end of 2025 but postponed it in December due to a "temporary issue," and announced it again in April without setting a concrete date.
Fuel Shortages Deepen the Crisis
The fuel deficit exacerbates the situation. Cuba requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil daily to sustain its electrical system but only produces 40,000. The cessation of Venezuelan supplies since January, which provided about 35,000 barrels daily, has intensified the collapse, with no real solution from the regime.
The desperation among the population has overtaken their fear. In June, Cuba witnessed 107 protests, primarily in Havana, featuring pot-banging, street blockades, and chants of "Freedom!" in neighborhoods across the capital and other provinces.
The regime has responded with a heavy police presence, arrests, and internet shutdowns.
Activists have called for daily pot-banging protests at 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm until July 11, demanding the release of political prisoners and the regime's resignation as Cuba approaches what could be the worst blackout in its history.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the severe power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are primarily due to a structural deficiency in the power generation infrastructure, compounded by a lack of maintenance, equipment failures, and a severe shortage of fuel.
How has the Cuban government responded to the power crisis?
The government's response has included promises of future maintenance and repairs, but concrete actions have been delayed. There have also been increased police deployments and internet shutdowns in response to public protests.
What role does Venezuela play in Cuba's energy situation?
Venezuela previously supplied Cuba with about 35,000 barrels of oil daily. The cessation of these supplies since January has exacerbated Cuba's energy crisis.