This Saturday, Cuba is set to endure another round of widespread power outages following a relentless night of electrical shortages.
The official statement from the Unión Eléctrica reports that as of 6:00 AM, the National Electric System had a meager availability of 955 MW against a demand of 2,750 MW, resulting in 1,770 MW being affected.
Friday marked one of the most challenging days of the year, with power cuts persisting throughout the entire day and night. At 9:40 PM, the maximum impact reached 2,310 MW.
The outlook for Saturday night appears bleak. The state-run company anticipates an availability of 1,155 MW compared to a peak demand of 3,200 MW, leading to a projected shortfall of 2,045 MW and an estimated impact of 2,075 MW.
Power Plants in Disrepair
Several generating units remain out of operation. Units 6 and 8 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Plant, the Guiteras Plant unit, unit 2 of the Felton Plant, and unit 3 of the Renté Plant are all experiencing breakdowns.
Units undergoing maintenance include unit 3 of the Santa Cruz Plant, unit 5 of the Nuevitas Plant, and units 5 and 6 of the Renté Plant, with total thermal limitations amounting to 298 MW.
Limited Relief in Sight
The only potential relief offered by the UNE is the planned addition of 200 MW from the Antonio Guiteras Plant during peak demand hours. However, this facility—the largest in the country—has not undergone major maintenance since 2010 and has been offline 17 times in 2026 alone.
The 54 solar photovoltaic parks installed by the regime contributed 5,102 MWh on Friday, with a peak output of 793 MW at noon. While noteworthy, this is insufficient to offset the nighttime collapse of the thermoelectric system.
A Month of Unprecedented Challenges
This situation unfolds amid a catastrophic July, marked by three total blackouts within just eight days—on July 6, 10, and 14—making this month the most critical of the year. It represents the fifth total collapse of the National Electric System in 2026 and the tenth in roughly 24 months.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
Why is Cuba facing severe power outages?
Cuba is experiencing severe power outages due to the aging infrastructure of its power plants, many of which are currently out of service or undergoing maintenance. The demand for electricity significantly exceeds the available supply.
What measures are being taken to address the power shortage?
The Unión Eléctrica plans to bring additional capacity online, such as the Antonio Guiteras Plant, but challenges persist due to the lack of major maintenance and frequent breakdowns of existing facilities.