The energy crisis in Cuba has worsened recently, with extended blackouts and an electricity generation shortfall surpassing 1,600 megawatts (MW). According to the official report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) on Friday, April 4, service was disrupted for the entire day on Thursday. A maximum impact of 1,619 MW was recorded at 8:00 PM, coinciding with peak hours, a figure exceeding planned outages due to higher demand.
As of 7:00 AM today, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,840 MW, while demand reached 2,750 MW, resulting in a capacity deficit of 1,002 MW. By noon, an impact of 1,100 MW is expected.
The main factors contributing to this deficit include malfunctions in two units at the Nuevitas and Felton thermoelectric plants, as well as scheduled maintenance in five other generating units at the CTE Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté facilities. Additionally, 69 distributed generation plants are offline due to a lack of fuel, affecting 501 MW, while another 139 MW are unavailable due to insufficient lubricants.
For the evening peak, demand is anticipated to reach 3,450 MW with an availability of 1,840 MW, implying a deficit of 1,610 MW and an estimated impact of 1,680 MW. These frequent blackouts are causing widespread frustration among the population, disrupting daily activities.
Despite the addition of eight photovoltaic solar parks that produced 934 MWh on Thursday, the ongoing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and inadequate investment in energy infrastructure continue to exacerbate the crisis. The current situation underscores the urgent need for structural reforms in Cuba's energy sector, along with investments in infrastructure and sustainable energy sources, to alleviate the crisis and ensure a reliable electricity supply for the population.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the electricity shortage in Cuba?
The shortage is primarily due to equipment failures at thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and a lack of fuel and lubricants for distributed generation plants.
How does the electricity deficit affect Cuban citizens?
The electricity deficit leads to prolonged blackouts, severely impacting daily life and causing significant inconvenience for the populace.
What measures are being taken to address the crisis?
While solar parks have been introduced, there is a pressing need for structural reforms and investments in renewable energy to effectively address the energy crisis.