Lisner Cruz Sánchez, head of operations for the National Load Dispatch of the Cuban Electric Union, announced on the state-run Canal Caribe that power outages in Cuba have "significantly decreased." This statement comes despite an official report projecting a shortfall of 2,008 MW during peak evening hours.
Cruz's claim is based on a favorable comparison to the previous week, when outages reached between 1,800 and 1,900 MW and available power hovered between 900 and 950 MW. By Saturday morning, outages fell to 1,500 MW while availability increased to around 1,300 MW. However, when examining the overall deficit faced by the National Electric System (SEN), the improvement appears less substantial.
Challenges Persist Despite Minor Improvements
The outlook for Saturday night anticipated an available capacity of only 1,322 MW against a demand of 3,350 MW, resulting in a gap of 2,008 MW—almost identical to Friday's 2,001 MW during peak hours. Additionally, at the time of reporting, two generating units were out of service due to malfunctions, and three others were undergoing maintenance, further limiting the system's ability to meet demand.
At midday, the situation might see temporary relief through contributions from solar parks, potentially exceeding 700 MW and lowering outages to approximately 1,400 MW. However, this respite is short-lived, as solar power dwindles with sunset, placing the burden back on aging thermoelectric plants and other available sources.
Root Causes of the Power Crisis
A critical insight shared by Cruz highlights another bottleneck in the crisis: nearly 1,300 MW of installed capacity in fuel and diesel motor sites, as well as power barges in Havana and generators in Moa and Mariel, remain idle due to a lack of imported fuel. Cruz stated that with the necessary fuel, peak-time capacity could rise from 1,322 MW to about 1,622 MW, and midday capacity could reach roughly 2,300 MW, reducing outages to around 200 MW.
The issue, therefore, is not just the existing capacity but how much of it can be operational.
Political Blame and Structural Issues
Cruz attributed this stagnation to the U.S. embargo, asserting that each blackout results from the "energetic blockade" and the aggressive stance of the U.S. government, which he claims aims to suffocate Cuba. This official narrative continues to place the embargo at the forefront, even as system data indicates a complex web of issues beyond just fuel availability.
Decrepit thermoelectric plants, chronic maintenance neglect, and reliance on imported oil form the structural roots of a crisis Cuba has grappled with for decades. Additional strain comes from a reduced Venezuelan supply following the January arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro, further compromising a system already reliant on external sources for much of its power generation.
Efforts and Outlook
As a tangible measure of relief for Saturday, it was anticipated that Unit 6 of the Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plant in Santiago de Cuba would synchronize before day's end, contributing an extra 60 MW. Repair efforts are also underway on Unit 5 at the Máximo Gómez thermoelectric plant in Mariel, with complex turbine bearing repairs expected to conclude by Sunday or Monday.
In late July, Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged that the crisis lacks a quick fix, describing the journey as "long." The previous day, state media, in its typical triumphant tone, reported that Havana had no power cuts due to generation shortfalls, while confirming that other areas of Cuba continued to suffer from electrical disruptions.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily caused by a combination of factors including aging thermoelectric plants, insufficient maintenance, reliance on imported oil, and a lack of fuel due to the U.S. embargo.
How has the U.S. embargo impacted Cuba's energy sector?
The U.S. embargo has severely limited Cuba's ability to import fuel, which is crucial for operating many of its power generation facilities. This has contributed to significant power shortages and outages across the country.
Are there any short-term solutions to Cuba's energy crisis?
While temporary relief may come from repairs and synchronization of certain power units, the Cuban government acknowledges that there are no short-term solutions to the energy crisis, which requires long-term structural changes.