Cuba's Unending Blackout Crisis: Power Deficit Exceeds 1,700 MW

In Cuba, power outages continue to plague the population with no solution in sight. On Sunday, October 23, the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported an all-day disruption to electrical service due to a shortfall in generation capacity, which extended into early Monday morning. This led to a peak shortfall of 1,572 MW at 7:20 p.m., coinciding with peak demand hours.

As of Monday, the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) has an availability of 1,384 MW, while the demand has surged to 2,360 MW, resulting in a 966 MW shortfall. By midday, this deficit is expected to rise to 1,350 MW, significantly impacting the central and eastern regions of the country.

Major issues include breakdowns at Unit 3 of the CTE Santa Cruz, Unit 3 of the CTE Renté, and Units 1 and 2 of the CTE Felton. Additionally, maintenance is ongoing for Unit 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz, Units 3 and 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 of the CTE Renté. Thermal limitations and fuel supply issues have also taken 392 MW offline, impacting 83 distributed generation plants, the Mariel fuel plant, and the Regla barge, totaling 729 MW out of service due to these issues.

For peak hours on Monday, February 24, availability is projected at 1,484 MW with a maximum demand of 3,150 MW, which would create a deficit of 1,666 MW. If these conditions persist, the shortfall could reach 1,736 MW, once again affecting the central and eastern regions of the island.

In Havana, the Electric Company has announced scheduled outages due to the generation deficit. Blocks 3 and 4 will experience cuts from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Block 2 will face interruptions from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Block 1 will be without power from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The company's official Telegram, X, and Facebook accounts will continue to provide updated information, and the helpline 18888 remains available for direct inquiries.

The ongoing electrical crisis in Cuba has severely affected the quality of life, the economy, and public services. Promises of improvements and new investments in the energy sector have failed to prevent the continuation of daily blackouts across the island.

The Deteriorating Energy Infrastructure

Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis, with blackouts lasting over 20 hours a day in several provinces. Energy expert Jorge Piñón has warned that the national electric system could collapse in the coming months due to the deteriorating condition of the thermoelectric plants and the shortage of fuel necessary for electricity generation.

This past Sunday, the UNE confirmed that 11 thermoelectric units were out of service, with seven suffering severe breakdowns and four under maintenance. This led to a 1,630 MW deficit, resulting in prolonged outages, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the country. The previous day, the energy shortfall had already reached 1,557 MW, with nine thermoelectric plants offline and over 70 distributed generation plants shut down due to fuel shortages.

A Stark Contrast: Festival Amid Crisis

Amid this dire crisis, the 2025 Salsa Festival in Havana commenced on February 19 with concerts at Club 500 and the Hotel Memories Miramar. While Cubans endured blackouts lasting up to a full day, the event featured an extensive light and sound setup, drawing sharp criticism for the authorities' disconnection from the country's harsh reality.

In an effort to alleviate the crisis, the Russian tanker Akademik Gubkin delivered 790,000 barrels of oil to Cuba on February 18. However, experts have pointed out these supplies as temporary fixes and raised concerns about the allocation of Cuban heavy crude, which should be used in thermoelectric plants but whose distribution remains uncertain.

The energy situation remains critical on the island, with daily blackouts and a rapidly deteriorating electrical infrastructure, leaving the population struggling to access basic services amid the crisis.