The ongoing crisis of Cuba's National Electrical System (SEN) is severely impacting the populace, with extended blackouts highlighting the structural decay of the nation's power industry. This decline is a direct consequence of years of governmental mismanagement.
On Friday, while electricity was restored by 11:38 p.m., the day closed with a maximum outage of 1,238 MW at 8:00 p.m., coinciding with peak demand hours, plunging thousands of Cubans into darkness.
The outlook for Saturday remains grim. By 7:00 a.m., the Union Eléctrica reported that service had been reinstated nationwide. Yet, this tenuous stability is short-lived: by midday, a projected 550 MW shortfall threatens to cause power cuts across various provinces.
Forecasts for peak hours suggest only 1,970 MW will be available against an anticipated demand of 3,050 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,080 MW and projected impacts of 1,150 MW.
Several key power plant units remain non-operational. The Felton CTE Unit 2 and Santa Cruz CTE Unit 3 are currently out due to breakdowns, while maintenance has halted operations in five critical units at locations such as Mariel, Cienfuegos, Santa Cruz, and Renté.
The introduction of renewable energy, including new solar farms in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Granma, contributes only a small fraction of the required total. On Friday, these sources generated 352 MWh, a positive yet insufficient figure given the scale of the crisis.
Experts have long warned that the lack of investment, technological neglect, and poor state planning have driven Cuba's electrical system to collapse. Continuous breakdowns, compounded by prolonged and poorly coordinated maintenance, underscore the government's structural inability to provide stable and efficient electrical service.
Cuban citizens endure the repercussions daily: frequent service disruptions, food spoilage, challenges in studying or working from home, and direct impacts on hospitals, schools, and other essential services.
Meanwhile, the government has yet to offer concrete solutions or realistic timelines to resolve the crisis. Short- and medium-term projections depict an increasingly fragile system, overwhelmed by demand far exceeding its operational capacity.
Amid widespread deterioration, public discontent is mounting. For many, these blackouts are not merely technical failures but clear symptoms of the failed energy policies and state management that have left the nation in both literal and figurative darkness.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily caused by a combination of structural decay in the electrical industry, years of governmental mismanagement, and insufficient investment in infrastructure.
How are renewable energy sources contributing to Cuba's power supply?
Renewable energy sources, such as solar farms in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Granma, are contributing only a small fraction of the total energy needed. On a recent day, these sources generated 352 MWh, which is insufficient to significantly alleviate the crisis.