This Tuesday morning, Cuba is once again grappling with severe power outages. As per the latest update from the Unión Eléctrica, at 6:00 AM, the National Electric System had a capacity of merely 1,150 MW against a demand of 2,700 MW, resulting in 1,550 MW being out of service since the early hours.
The outlook for the evening peak is even bleaker. The state-run company anticipates an availability of 1,355 MW to meet a peak demand of 3,200 MW, leading to a shortfall of 1,845 MW and an estimated disruption of 1,875 MW.
Monday's Widespread Power Disruptions
Monday was equally disastrous. "Yesterday, service was interrupted due to capacity shortages throughout the entire day, and the disruption continued into the early morning hours," reports the Unión Eléctrica. The highest recorded disruption was 2,079 MW at 9:40 PM.
Underlying Causes of the Power Crisis
Several factors contribute to this deficit, including breakdowns in Unit 1 of the Ernesto Guevara De La Serna Thermoelectric Plant, Unit 4 of the CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Unit 2 of the CTE Lidio Ramón Pérez, and Units 3 and 5 of the CTE Antonio Maceo.
Additionally, maintenance work is ongoing at the CTE Mariel, CTE Renté, and CTE Nuevitas, with 405 MW currently offline due to thermal generation constraints.
Efforts to Mitigate Nighttime Peaks
To alleviate the evening peak, the Unión Eléctrica hopes to bring online Unit 1 of the CTE Santa Cruz, with 60 MW in the startup phase, and Unit 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos, with 145 MW.
The 54 solar photovoltaic parks contributed 3,138 MWh on Monday, hitting a peak output of 482 MW at noon. However, they do not operate during the nighttime peak, which is when the largest deficits occur.
This Tuesday's crisis is part of a worsening trend that has intensified throughout May. On May 14, the failure of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant—its ninth in 2026—caused a partial system collapse from Ciego de Ávila to Guantánamo, leading to power cuts lasting up to 22 hours a day in Havana.
The Guiteras plant was reconnected to the system on Sunday at 11:06 PM, contributing around 200 MW, but its return hasn't been enough to offset the island's ongoing structural deficit.
Widespread Impact on Cuban Society
The social impact is severe. The electricity shortage is causing water supply interruptions due to insufficient pumping, affecting schools, hospitals, and businesses, while generally degrading the quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Power Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The outages are primarily due to breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants and ongoing maintenance work that limits thermal generation.
How are solar parks contributing to the power supply?
Solar parks are providing additional power, contributing 3,138 MWh on Monday with a peak output of 482 MW, but they do not operate during nighttime peaks.
What is the social impact of the electricity shortage in Cuba?
The shortage leads to water supply issues, affects schools, hospitals, and businesses, and generally worsens the quality of life.