The energy crisis gripping Cuba is worsening daily, with the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) showing no immediate signs of resolution. On Friday, the Electric Union (UNE) reported a continuous generation deficit over the previous 24 hours, persisting into the early hours of February 28, 2025.
The situation is increasingly bleak. The highest recorded impact reached 1,719 MW at 7:20 PM, coinciding with peak demand. This exceeded planned levels due to the failure of Unit 3 at the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE) to come online and the unexpected outage of Unit 5 at the Nuevitas CTE.
Critical Situation Shows No Improvement
As of 7:00 AM this Friday, SEN's availability stood at 1,520 MW, while demand surged to 2,315 MW, resulting in an 882 MW shortfall in electricity supply. Forecasts for midday indicate a deficit of 1,150 MW, with the central-eastern region of the country being most affected.
Breakdowns and maintenance issues continue to batter Cuba's already fragile electrical infrastructure. Currently offline are:
- Unit 5 of the Mariel CTE.
- Unit 1 of the Santa Cruz CTE.
- Unit 5 of the Nuevitas CTE.
- Units 1 and 2 of the Felton CTE.
Undergoing scheduled maintenance are:
- Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE.
- Units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE.
- Unit 5 of the Renté CTE.
Thermal generation limitations account for an additional 310 MW shortfall, while 76 decentralized generation plants are offline due to fuel shortages, compounding the crisis with an extra 522 MW deficit.
Forecast for Peak Demand
During peak demand periods, the UNE predicts availability of 1,695 MW against a demand of 3,250 MW, leading to a 1,555 MW deficit and an estimated impact of 1,625 MW, again most severe in central-eastern Cuba.
Some recovery is expected with the partial reactivation of:
- 50 MW from distributed generation engines currently offline due to fuel shortages.
- 80 MW from Unit 1 of the Santa Cruz CTE.
- 30 MW from the reactivation of Turbine 5 at Energas Jaruco.
- An additional 15 MW from Unit 6 at Energas Jaruco.
Scheduled Blackouts in Havana
Havana's Electric Company also announced that due to the ongoing energy crisis, customers in the capital will face scheduled outages across several time blocks:
- Blocks #3 and #4: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Block #2: 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Block #1: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The state of the SEN leaves Cubans in a constant state of uncertainty, with prolonged blackouts and no clear short-term recovery plan. Public frustration mounts as these outages disrupt quality of life, economic activities, and essential services. The electrical collapse remains unmanageable, and forecasts suggest the situation may deteriorate further in the coming days.
Understanding the Cuban Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
The crisis is primarily due to breakdowns and maintenance issues in key thermoelectric plants, compounded by fuel shortages affecting decentralized generation facilities.
How are blackouts affecting Cuban citizens?
Prolonged blackouts are disrupting daily life, hindering economic activities, and affecting essential services, leading to widespread public discontent.
Is there any plan for recovery?
Currently, there is no clear recovery plan in place, and the situation is expected to worsen according to forecasts.