The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, recognized as Cuba's primary power generator, halted operations on Tuesday due to a boiler malfunction. The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) announced that this shutdown will last for four days, impacting the National Electric System.
This outage results in a loss of 140 MW in an already strained system. For tonight's peak hours, the UNE forecasts a maximum availability of just 1,600 MW, compared to a demand of 3,250 MW. This shortfall of 1,650 MW suggests a potential impact of 1,680 MW.
By 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the system was already experiencing 1,060 MW of outages, with only 1,690 MW available, predicting a midday impact of 1,150 MW.
Widespread Challenges in Cuba's Electrical Grid
The situation is further complicated as Guiteras is not the only plant facing issues. Simultaneous breakdowns are affecting Unit 8 of the CTE Máximo Gómez, Unit 2 of the CTE Lidio Ramón Pérez, and Unit 5 of the CTE Antonio Maceo. Additional maintenance work at the Mariel, Renté, and Nuevitas plants has taken 477 MW offline due to thermal generation constraints.
On the previous day, Monday, the peak impact reached 1,578 MW at 7:20 p.m., with service interruptions lasting throughout the day.
A Historical Overview of the Guiteras Plant
Inaugurated in 1988 in Matanzas, the CTE Antonio Guiteras boasts a nominal capacity of 250 MW and contributes between 20% and 25% of the nation's thermal generation, making it a crucial element of Cuba's electrical infrastructure.
Throughout 2026, the plant has exited the system at least seven times, leading to total collapses. Notably, on March 16, a boiler leak resulted in a blackout affecting 68% of the island for nearly 30 hours. Another boiler issue on April 6 caused the deficit to surge to nearly 1,900 MW.
The plant has never undergone major maintenance in over 36 years of operation, which accounts for its frequent malfunctions.
Public Outcry and Fuel Shortages
Ironically, on April 28 — just a week before this latest breakdown — the CTE Guiteras was awarded the "National Vanguard" distinction by the Cuban Workers' Central for the fifth time, sparking outrage among Cubans suffering from power outages.
The crisis is further exacerbated by fuel shortages. Following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, Cuba lost its Venezuelan oil supply of 25,000 to 30,000 barrels per day, which constituted two-thirds of its imports. The Russian oil received in April was depleted by the month's end, leaving the nation once again on the brink of an energy collapse.
With Guiteras offline for four days and the remaining system in dire condition, the blackouts experienced on Sunday foreshadow a week of severe power cuts for millions of Cubans, with no structural solutions offered by the regime.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is the impact of the Antonio Guiteras plant outage on Cuba's energy system?
The shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras plant results in a loss of 140 MW, exacerbating an already critical energy shortage in Cuba, leading to significant power outages.
Why is the Guiteras plant crucial to Cuba's electricity supply?
The Guiteras plant contributes between 20% and 25% of Cuba's thermal power generation, making it a vital component of the country's electric grid.
What are the broader implications of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis, compounded by fuel shortages and infrastructure failures, leads to prolonged power outages, disrupting daily life and economic activities in Cuba.