The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) has announced rolling blackouts for this Friday, resulting from a substantial power generation shortfall of 1,420 MW during peak hours. As of 7:00 am, the National Electric System (SEN) had a capacity of 1,585 MW, while demand reached 2,150 MW, leaving 597 MW unmet. By midday, the shortfall is expected to increase to 900 MW.
Compounding the crisis, 39 MW remain offline in Artemisa due to hurricane-induced damage to electrical networks caused by Hurricane Rafael. According to the UNE's daily report, Thursday saw service disruptions throughout the day, with a peak shortfall of 1,471 MW at 6:20 pm, coinciding with peak demand hours. At that time, 40 MW were additionally impacted by hurricane damage.
Service was restored on Friday at 2:42 am, only to face new disruptions starting at 4:38 am. Three units from the Mariel, Matanzas, and Felton thermal power plants remain offline due to breakdowns, while four units at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté plants are undergoing maintenance. Thermal generation limitations account for 348 MW.
Furthermore, the country struggles with fuel shortages, leaving 43 distributed generation plants, one unit at the Nuevitas thermal power plant, the Santiago de Cuba barge, and four engines on the Melones barge inoperative, affecting a total of 411 MW. The ongoing energy crisis is a stark reminder of the systemic issues plaguing Cuba's energy infrastructure, worsened by a regime unable to address the fundamental challenges.