This Tuesday marks one of the most challenging days in Cuba's worsening energy crisis, with an anticipated nighttime power shortfall of 1,960 MW, as reported by the official statement from the Electric Union (UNE).
According to the report, at 6:00 AM today, the National Electric System's (SEN) capacity was a mere 1,250 MW, while the demand reached 2,884 MW, leaving 1,649 MW already affected since early morning.
The situation is expected to deteriorate as night falls. The UNE projects a capacity of 1,290 MW against a peak demand of 3,250 MW, resulting in a 1,960 MW deficit and an anticipated 1,990 MW impact during peak hours, effectively leaving nearly two-thirds of the country without power.
Monday was equally harsh. "The maximum impact due to generation capacity deficit yesterday was 2,012 MW at 9:10 PM, exceeding expectations due to higher than planned demand," the UNE report states.
The Strain of Failing Infrastructure
Accumulated breakdowns contribute significantly to the collapse. Currently, units two and three of the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna Thermal Power Plant, unit two of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermal Power Plant, and unit five of the Antonio Maceo Thermal Power Plant are out of service. Meanwhile, four other units are undergoing maintenance at Mariel, Renté, and Nuevitas plants. Thermal generation limitations account for 379 MW being offline.
The only planned reinforcement for the nighttime peak is the addition of unit three from the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant, providing a mere 40 MW, an insufficient figure given the magnitude of the deficit.
Renewable Energy Falls Short
The 54 installed solar photovoltaic parks contributed 3,822 MWh on Monday, with a peak daytime capacity of 490 MW, but this renewable source does not address the nighttime deficit when demand is at its highest.
This crisis is part of a steady decline over the weeks. The shortfall was 1,887 MW last Sunday and 1,874 MW last Thursday, with the highest recorded in 2026 reaching 2,075 MW on March 6.
Underlying Causes of the Crisis
The root cause lies in an aging thermal power infrastructure coupled with a severe fuel shortage. Cuba produces only 40,000 barrels of oil daily, while consumption exceeds 110,000 barrels. The 730,000-barrel shipment delivered by the Russian tanker Anatoli Kolodkin on March 31 was exhausted by the end of April, and a second Russian vessel remains adrift in the Atlantic without a confirmed destination due to international sanctions.
The human impact is severe. The town of Cantel in Cárdenas, Matanzas, has been without electricity for more than seven days since May 3, following a transformer explosion at the Humberto Álvarez sugar mill. "No explanations. No one steps up. No information at all," lamented Christian Arbolaez, a local resident.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy deficit in Cuba?
The energy deficit in Cuba is primarily due to an aging thermal power infrastructure and a significant shortage of fuel, exacerbated by international sanctions affecting fuel imports.
How are solar parks contributing to Cuba's energy needs?
Cuba's solar parks contributed 3,822 MWh on Monday, with a peak daytime capacity of 490 MW, but they do not address the nighttime deficit when demand is highest.
What is the human impact of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis has left towns like Cantel in Cárdenas, Matanzas, without electricity for extended periods, disrupting daily life and leaving residents without information or support.