As the year draws to a close, Cuba is engulfed in one of its most severe energy crises in recent history. Widespread power outages span the entire day, with a generation shortfall approaching 2,000 megawatts (MW), as reported by the Union Eléctrica (UNE).
According to the latest report on the National Electric System (SEN) released on Friday, December 19, the electrical service was disrupted for a full 24 hours the previous day. The most significant impact occurred at 6:10 pm, when the generation capacity deficit hit 1,989 MW, highlighting the system's extreme vulnerability.
System Collapse from Early Morning
By 6:00 am on Friday, the SEN's total availability was a mere 1,330 MW, while demand soared to 2,355 MW, resulting in an immediate shortfall of 1,038 MW. At midday, UNE projected ongoing outages around 1,100 MW, confirming no relief was in sight for the day.
This dire situation is attributed to a combination of breakdowns, extended maintenance, technical constraints, and a severe fuel shortage, which have sidelined a substantial portion of the country's installed capacity.
Breakdowns and Maintenance at Key Power Plants
Significant incidents include malfunctions at four units of the Máximo Gómez, Nuevitas, Felton, and Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plants. Additionally, blocks remain out of service for scheduled or prolonged maintenance at the CTE Mariel, two units at Santa Cruz, and the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant in Cienfuegos. Thermal generation limitations alone account for 397 MW of unavailable capacity, exacerbating the situation further.
Fuel Shortages Intensify the Crisis
The energy deficit is further compounded by a lack of fuel and basic supplies. UNE reported that 83 distributed generation plants, totaling 798 MW, are out of service due to this issue. Additionally, 108 MW are impacted at the Moa Fuel Center, and 95 MW are offline due to lubricant shortages. In total, fuel and lubricant supply problems account for 1,004 MW of affected capacity, a significant factor in the ongoing blackouts.
Nighttime Peak Demand: A Critical Challenge
During the critical nighttime peak, UNE plans to bring units 3 and 5 of the CTE Renté online, contributing an estimated 45 MW and 65 MW, respectively. Even so, total availability would only reach 1,440 MW, against a projected maximum demand of 3,380 MW. This would result in a 1,940 MW deficit, with potential impacts reaching up to 1,970 MW, among the highest levels recorded in recent months.
Solar Power's Insufficient Contribution
Despite government efforts to incorporate renewable energy, the results remain inadequate to offset the system's deterioration. UNE reported that 33 new photovoltaic solar parks generated 2,823 MWh, with a maximum output of 520 MW during peak solar hours. While this contribution is significant during the day, it fails to meet national demand or mitigate nighttime blackouts when solar generation ceases entirely.
Even Havana Plunged into Darkness
The Electric Company of Havana confirmed that the capital was not spared from the crisis. On Thursday, the electrical service was disrupted for 12 hours and 25 minutes, with a peak impact of 334 MW at 6:10 pm. The service was restored at 11:52 pm, but blackouts returned in the early morning as block 3 was affected from 5:14 am due to generation deficits.
The company reiterated that these disruptions "depend on SEN requirements," a statement repeated daily as the population endures increasingly prolonged outages.
Year-End Uncertainty Looms
With blackouts exceeding 20 hours in several areas, Cuba approaches year-end under severe energy uncertainty. Official figures confirm that the electrical system continues to operate far below actual demand, with no immediate solution in sight. Millions of Cubans face the end of 2025 amid darkness, heat, and the stagnation of daily life.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing Cuba's severe energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to a combination of equipment breakdowns, prolonged maintenance, technical limitations, and severe fuel shortages that have sidelined a significant portion of the country's installed capacity.
How is the fuel shortage affecting Cuba's power supply?
The fuel shortage in Cuba has led to 83 distributed generation plants being out of service, contributing to a total of 1,004 MW of affected capacity. This has significantly exacerbated the ongoing power outages across the country.
Can renewable energy help alleviate Cuba's energy crisis?
While renewable energy, particularly solar power, has been introduced, its contribution remains insufficient to cover national demand or address nighttime blackouts, as solar generation ceases after sunset.