A representative from Matanzas's Electric Company confirmed to TV Yumurí what residents have long been complaining about: Matanzas officially suffers the most severe power outages in Cuba.
"It's absolutely accurate, and in this instance, public opinion aligns with reality," stated Kenny Cruz González, the technical deputy director of the Provincial Electric Company. He offered detailed data to explain why the situation in Matanzas is structurally worse than in other parts of the country.
Cruz González pointed out that the primary issue is the high level of electricity consumption. Matanzas ranks as the second-highest province in terms of electrical demand, averaging 238 MW according to the latest load curve from April 2026.
This substantial consumption means a heavier load to disconnect when the system faces shortages. "During peak times, we experience the most severe impact in the nation, reaching 174 MW," the official explained, noting that this is the highest disconnection capacity among all Cuban provinces.
Unique Challenges and Comparisons with Other Provinces
Matanzas operates with 123 circuits that can be disconnected, each carrying different loads depending on the time of day. Cruz González admitted that some circuits endure over 40 continuous hours of blackout, a frequency not observed in other provinces.
"It's surprising because repeatedly, circuits endure 40 hours, and when you examine circuits in other provinces, they don't reach that maximum disconnection or such lengthy hours," he remarked.
Comparisons with other regions reveal that some have implemented rotation systems, allowing circuits to stay on longer each day—an achievement Matanzas hasn't broadly realized.
The Paradox of Local Power Generation
Ironically, Matanzas is home to the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, the largest in Cuba, with a nominal installed capacity of 320 MW. However, it operates at a reduced real capacity, consistently delivering between 220-260 MW. This output feeds into the National Electric System (SEN) and doesn't directly benefit the province.
Human Impact and Recent Developments
The human consequences of this crisis are severe. Since early 2026, the province has endured continuous blackouts lasting 30 to 48 hours in specific circuits.
In Unión de Reyes, residents protested in March after enduring 45 hours without electricity. Malfunctioning water pumps led to a health crisis, prompting health authorities to advise boiling and chlorinating water due to hepatitis cases.
Nationally, the electrical deficit hit its peak on April 1, reaching 1,945 MW and leaving 55% of the country without power.
On April 19, Cuba started distributing fuel derived from crude oil donated by Russia—100,000 tons arrived at Matanzas's port on March 31 aboard the tanker Anatoly Kolodkin. This allowed the reactivation of several thermoelectric units, reducing the projected deficit to 1,012 MW for the nighttime peak on April 21, the lowest level since November 2025.
However, this improvement has been most noticeable in Havana, which experienced several consecutive days without blackouts, while Matanzas and other provinces continue to face severe power shortages.
The Russian crude only covers about seven to ten days of national consumption and doesn't address the decades-long structural problems of inadequate maintenance and investment, which are the true roots of the crisis.
Understanding the Power Crisis in Matanzas
What is the main reason for frequent power outages in Matanzas?
The primary reason is the high electricity consumption, making Matanzas the second-highest province in demand, leading to more significant disconnection loads during shortages.
How does Matanzas's power generation compare to its consumption?
Despite housing the largest thermoelectric plant in Cuba, Matanzas's generation capacity is reduced, and the output supports the national grid rather than the province directly.
Have there been any improvements in the power supply recently?
Recent distribution of Russian crude oil has temporarily improved power supply, particularly in Havana, but it hasn't resolved the long-standing structural issues.