The first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Holguín, Joel Queipo Ruíz, along with Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy, conducted an inspection visit to the Energy Storage Battery Station (BESS) in Cueto, Holguín, on Friday. The purpose of the visit was to assess the "completion status" of the 50-megawatt (MW) installation, as reported by the state-run Radio Angulo.
Queipo Ruíz showcased the visit on Facebook with the slogan "With #HonorHolguinero We Will Overcome," describing the project as "the second of its kind in Cuba" and claiming it would "strengthen the National Electric System (SEN) in this eastern region." However, he did not specify when this enhancement would occur, a detail that Cubans, accustomed to frequent blackouts, quickly noticed.
Public Reactions and Skepticism
The response from the online community was swift and critical. "I've been hearing that tune for a while, but when will we see the results?" wrote one user. Another, with a more technical and cutting tone, commented: "50 MW for a deficit of over 2,000 MW: they really are a joke." A third user demanded straightforwardness without embellishment: "Without babbling: we evaluated the completion status [...]. The project is at...% completion [...]. Because there are four, and the second one is not finished yet."
The minister wasn't spared from ridicule either. "Minister of Mines, because there's no energy," one commenter quipped. Another added sarcastically, "Well, he might be the Minister of Mines, but Energy... that position doesn't exist anymore." A frustrated commenter inquired, "When will it start operating? Hurry, because the U-4 in Cienfuegos —the frequency regulator— is out of service, and with the SEN's fragility, any frequency fluctuation will shut it down."
The Broader Picture
The official plan includes four 50 MW battery energy storage systems (BESS) —in Cotorro and Habana 220, both in Havana; Cueto, Holguín; and Bayamo, Granma— for a combined capacity of 200 MW, utilizing Chinese technology and technical assistance, with equipment supplied by Shanghai Electric.
The first system, located in the Cotorro substation, became operational in early July 2026 after several months of testing. By late August, the Cueto system was getting ready for load tests; the Habana 220 system was still under construction and assembly, with an official launch date set for the last week of October; meanwhile, the Bayamo system was also under development, with no specific service start date announced.
As online commentators noted, only one of the four systems is operational, despite official rhetoric.
Challenges Amidst Official Visits
The timing of this official visit is, at best, awkward. On the same Friday, the Electric Union predicted a maximum power outage of 2,220 MW, enough to leave up to 68% of the island without electricity at peak demand. The previous month saw a record outage of 2,411 MW, and the SEN has suffered seven total collapses so far in 2026.
In Holguín, the situation is particularly dire: in June, the provincial Electric Company admitted that residential circuits received just 3 hours of electricity for every 39 or 40 hours of blackout, with only 70 MW available against a demand of 240 MW. Minister De la O Levy himself acknowledged to the National Assembly that some Cuban communities have endured up to 105 consecutive days without electricity.
While officials roamed among Shanghai Electric's containers, dozens protested on Friday night in Fontanar, in Havana's Boyeros municipality, with about ten police patrols deployed to manage the discontent.
The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,415 protests, complaints, and critical expressions in July 2026, the highest monthly figure since the organization started its records.
The 200 MW total that the four BESS systems will add when —and if— all become operational is merely a fraction of the structural deficit exceeding 2,000 MW. As one online user aptly put it: "they really are a joke."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is the purpose of the Energy Storage Battery Station in Cueto?
The Energy Storage Battery Station in Cueto is intended to support the National Electric System in eastern Cuba by providing an additional 50 MW of power.
How are Cuban citizens reacting to the energy situation?
Cubans have expressed widespread skepticism and frustration, questioning the delays and effectiveness of the energy projects amidst ongoing power outages.
What is the status of other planned energy storage systems in Cuba?
Of the four planned systems, only the one in Cotorro is operational, while the others in Cueto, Habana 220, and Bayamo are still in various stages of completion.