By the end of the report from Holguín's Electric Company at 10:22 AM on Friday, the Gibara 1 and Gibara 2 circuits had experienced a combined total of 22 hours and 28 minutes of power outages.
An earlier update that same day, released at 8:43 AM, already counted 20 hours and 44 minutes of interruptions affecting these specific circuits in the coastal municipality of Gibara.
The figures do not suggest continuous outages, nor can they be generalized to the entire municipality or province. They represent individual incident logs from the electric company, reflecting the cumulative duration of disruptions for these particular circuits.
Widespread Challenges Across Holguín
The situation throughout Holguín province is equally dire. As of the report concluded at 11:25 AM, the longest power disruption recorded in the province reached 23 hours and 27 minutes. The electricity provided to the province was a mere 60 MW, a small fraction of the 240 MW required, leaving most circuits with only a few hours of power through rotation.
Nationally, Friday's peak electricity forecast predicted an availability of 840 MW against a demand of 2,800 MW, resulting in an anticipated shortfall of 1,960 MW and an estimated impact of 1,990 MW, characterized as a "Critical" situation. This figure exceeds the previous day's forecast by 50 MW.
Historical Patterns of Outages
The Gibara circuits have faced persistent long-term outages throughout 2026. For instance, on October 18, Gibara 2 suffered 32 hours and 46 minutes without service; on October 17, Gibara 1 endured 25 hours and 19 minutes; and on September 3, both circuits were down for 26 hours and two minutes. Outages exceeding 20 hours have been a regular occurrence since at least August 2026.
The provincial landscape exacerbates the issue further. In mid-October, Holguín's Electric Company halted the 12-hour rotation of circuits—a practice that was already inconsistent—citing the "complex situation of the National Power System," maintaining supply only to circuits serving Lenin Hospital.
On that day, the Banes 2 circuit, Tanganica branch, recorded 43 hours and 15 minutes without power.
The public reaction to this decision was one of frustration and sarcasm. "When did the remaining circuits ever have a fixed 12-hour rotation? They provided power whenever they could or wanted," one user commented online. Another encapsulated the widespread sentiment with a simple question: "What rotation?"
Underlying Causes of the Energy Crisis
The root cause of the crisis is the severe gap between available power generation and national demand, compounded by frequent breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants. Cuba has experienced eight total disconnections from the National Power System so far in 2026, the most recent being on September 18.
Understanding the Power Outage Crisis in Gibara
What is causing the frequent power outages in Gibara?
The frequent power outages in Gibara are primarily due to the significant mismatch between electricity generation capabilities and national demand, along with recurring technical failures in various thermoelectric plants.
How does the situation in Gibara compare to the rest of Holguín province?
The situation in Gibara reflects a wider issue across Holguín province, where power shortages are causing significant disruptions. The entire province is struggling with limited electricity supply, affecting daily life and operations.
What measures are being taken to address the power shortage in Cuba?
Efforts to address the power shortage in Cuba include attempting to repair and maintain thermoelectric plants and exploring alternative energy sources, though these measures have yet to meet the national demand effectively.