The National Electric System (SEN) in Cuba is contending with another day of widespread blackouts this Thursday, with an anticipated shortfall of 2,305 MW during the peak evening hours, according to an official report from the Electric Union.
On Wednesday, the power service was compromised for the entire day. The most significant disruption occurred at 10:50 PM, reaching 2,303 MW, a stark indicator of a crisis showing no signs of improvement.
The Electric Union forecasts only 975 MW available for the peak evening demand this Thursday, which is expected to reach 3,250 MW. This results in a generation shortfall of 2,305 MW, leading to extended blackouts across the nation.
Power Plant Failures and Maintenance Issues
Four thermoelectric units are currently out of operation: Unit 6 at Máximo Gómez (Mariel), Unit 4 at Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Unit 3 at Antonio Maceo, and Unit 2 at Lidio Ramón Pérez in Felton.
Additionally, three units are undergoing maintenance: Unit 3 at Ernesto Guevara De La Serna (Santa Cruz), Units 5 and 6 at Antonio Maceo (Renté), and Unit 5 at Diez de Octubre in Nuevitas.
Fuel Shortages and Solar Limitations
The situation is exacerbated by 106 distributed generation plants being offline due to fuel shortages, alongside the Patana de Regla, Patana de Melones, Central Fuel of Mariel, and Central Fuel of Moa.
While solar energy provides some relief during daylight hours, with the country's 54 photovoltaic parks generating 4,604 MW/hour on Wednesday and a peak capacity of 716 MW, this is insufficient to address the nighttime deficit as Cuba lacks large-scale storage systems.
Historical Context of the Crisis
The ongoing crisis is part of a consistent trend of negative records throughout 2026. On Tuesday, the SEN experienced its largest historical deficit, reaching 2,411 MW at 10:30 PM, surpassing the previous record of 2,380 MW set on July 29.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are primarily due to a significant shortfall in power generation capacity, caused by malfunctions in several thermoelectric units, maintenance activities, and fuel shortages affecting distributed generation plants.
How is solar energy contributing to Cuba's power supply?
Solar energy contributes to the power supply during daylight hours, with 54 photovoltaic parks generating significant energy. However, without large-scale storage systems, this does not alleviate the nighttime energy deficit.