The Cuban regime acknowledged this Wednesday, during the Mesa Redonda, that the situation of the national electricity grid remains critical, with prolonged blackouts and an aging and deteriorated infrastructure.
However, in the midst of the energy collapse, they touted a plan to recover at least 500 megawatts (MW) of capacity over the next three years, as part of a stabilization strategy based on thermal generation and renewable sources, reported Cubadebate.
The General Director of the Electric Union, Alfredo López Valdés, explained that the recovery plan includes that 60% of the country's electricity will come from thermal generation, primarily through the use of domestic fuels, and between 12% and 14% from gas, which would increase domestic generation to above 70%.
By 2030, the country projects that 24% of electricity will come from renewable sources such as solar photovoltaic, wind, biomass, and bioelectric.
One of the key projects to achieve this objective is the rehabilitation of unit 1 of the Felton power plant, which was damaged by a fire.
The machine, with a capacity of 250 MW, will be rebuilt alongside a second unit of equal capacity. Component manufacturing is already underway in Las Tunas, although key imports are still required, emphasized Cubadebate.
If the resources arrive on time, the total recovery period could be shortened to two years and one month, according to official estimates, although none of these “promises” will solve the problem in the short term, which raises fears that, without a doubt, blackouts will continue.
Meanwhile, maintenance and reconstruction work is being carried out at other key plants such as Renté, Nuevitas, and Mariel.
In Nuevitas, there is an evaluation to replace a 125 MW unit due to its severe deterioration, while in Mariel, work is underway to repair unit 7, which has been completely disassembled following a fire.
The regime's intention is to advance on these fronts simultaneously to prevent further delays and ensure a minimum level of stability in the system.
And, moreover, they claim that these projects address the current emergency and seek –according to officials of the dictatorship– a structural transformation of the energy system, more sustainable and less dependent on imported fuel.
The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel reacted this Thursday to the critical energy situation in the country, reaffirming on the social platform X that, although the electrical system is in a “severe” state, its recovery is “not impossible.”
He stated that, although the solution will take time due to its complexity and the "blockade" that, according to him, the United States imposes on access to resources, everyone is "working hard" and he is confident that "we will achieve it."
The statement reiterates the official narrative that seeks to blame external factors for a crisis that actually stems from the structural collapse of the Cuban energy system and decades of insufficient sustained investment.
Meanwhile, the population continues to experience prolonged blackouts, with no visible reduction in daily disruptions.
The urgency to advance in the energy transition is clear, but the official timeline still outlines a long path that, in the short term, will not improve the tense situation on the island.
The regime promises to reduce blackouts to "only" 4 hours a day this summer
The Cuban regime is once again raising unrealistic expectations among the population by promising a reduction of power outages to an average of "only" four hours per day per customer during the summer.
The statement, shared by official media such as Granma, is part of a communication strategy that aims to project control over a crisis that continues to worsen.
The reality, however, contradicts the official narrative. The figures from the national electric system itself show deficits exceeding 1,600 megawatts (MW) during peak demand hours, especially at night.
The power outages are prolonged and unevenly distributed across the country, with more severe impacts on inland provinces.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines acknowledges that the recovery will be gradual and that, in the short term, blackouts will not disappear.
The official strategy includes increasing generation by 13 gigawatt-hours (GWh) and managing the growth of consumption, but the material and technical resources to sustain that goal remain limited.
One of the factors putting the most pressure on the system is the shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which forces thousands of families to cook with electricity, increasing domestic consumption during critical hours.
This situation further complicates demand management and overloads an already weakened network.
According to Granma itself, when electricity returns after a power outage, the simultaneous activation of appliances causes spikes in consumption up to 15 times higher than normal, overwhelming outdated transformers. In Havana, ten transformers collapsed in just one day.
The regime even attributes part of the problem to the massive importation of household appliances between 2018 and 2024.
During that period, Cuba imported more than 17 million electrical appliances, including small motors, refrigerators, and stoves.
These goods now feed a demand that the electrical system is unable to sustain, revealing the structural failure of the country's energy planning, according to the regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the Cuban government's plan to improve the energy situation?
The Cuban government has introduced a plan to recover at least 500 megawatts (MW) of capacity over the next three years, focusing on thermal generation and renewable sources. The aim is for 60% of electricity to come from thermal generation using national fuels and between 12% and 14% from gas. By 2030, it is projected that 24% of electricity will come from renewable sources.
What impact will renewable energy have on Cuba's energy crisis?
Although solar, wind, biomass, and bioelectric energy are expected to contribute 24% of electricity by 2030, currently, renewable energies are insufficient to resolve the structural crisis of the Cuban electrical system. Solar generation, for instance, is intermittent and cannot guarantee the stability of the system.
Why do blackouts continue despite the government's promises?
Despite promises to reduce blackouts to "only" four hours a day, the reality is that the electrical deficit exceeds 1,600 MW during peak hours and power outages are distributed unevenly. The lack of fuel, aging infrastructure, and sustained increase in demand without adequate capacity to respond worsen the situation.
What challenges is the Cuban electrical system currently facing?
The system faces multiple challenges: frequent breakdowns in the thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance that reduces generation capacity, and the lack of fuel that limits the operation of distributed generation plants. Moreover, the massive import of appliances has increased electrical demand, causing transformers to break down and leaving the system on the brink of collapse.
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