In Cuba, power outages persist relentlessly, even after the Central Thermoelectric Plant (CTE) Antonio Guiteras, one of the nation's key facilities, was brought online. Just hours following its synchronization, the electrical grid faced another setback with the departure of a generating unit in the eastern part of the island.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported that the CTE Antonio Guiteras in Matanzas was synchronized at 1:29 PM, a critical addition aimed at easing the generation shortfall. However, at 5:16 PM, the UNE announced the shutdown of Unit 6 at the CTE Antonio Maceo "Renté" in Santiago de Cuba due to low pressure in the transformer's output bushings.
This pattern of plants entering and exiting service keeps the National Electric System unstable, offering no real respite for the populace, who continue to endure extensive and rotating blackouts across nearly the entire country.
As part of the UNE's daily briefing, the forecast for peak hours on December 29, 2025, highlights the severity of the situation:
Availability: 1,488 MW
Maximum Demand: 3,250 MW
Deficit: 1,762 MW
Estimated Impact: 1,792 MW
These figures indicate that despite the return of the Guiteras plant, the system remains far from meeting national demand, resulting in prolonged hours without electricity for millions of Cubans.
While the activation of major thermoelectric plants is often seen as a beacon of hope, the near-immediate shutdown of other units highlights the structural issues plaguing the electrical sector. These issues are rooted in technological decay, insufficient maintenance, and a chronic scarcity of fuel and parts.
Meanwhile, power outages continue to disrupt daily life, food preservation, and the delivery of essential services, with no sustainable solution in sight for the near future.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the frequent power outages in Cuba?
The frequent power outages in Cuba are largely due to structural issues within the electrical sector, including technological decay, lack of maintenance, and chronic shortages of fuel and parts.
How does the shutdown of power units affect Cuban citizens?
The shutdown of power units leads to prolonged and rotating blackouts, disrupting daily life, affecting food preservation, and hindering the delivery of basic services across Cuba.