Another week begins with blackouts of almost 1,000 MW in Cuba.

The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) continues without solving the serious problems of energy generation and distribution among its customers, who this Monday were once again "cheered up" with the disastrous news that the week starts the same as the previous one: with massive power outages.

It is estimated that during peak hours there will be an availability of 2,445 MW and a maximum demand of 3,350 MW, resulting in a deficit of 905 MW. Therefore, if the predicted conditions persist, a shortage of 975 MW is forecasted for this timeframe," the state company stated on its social media channels.

As has become customary since the beginning of the month, "yesterday the service was affected due to a deficit in generation capacity 24 hours a day." According to the company led by Alfredo López Valdés, this Sunday "the maximum impact during the day was 1,094 MW at 8:50 p.m., not coinciding with peak hours."

For this Monday, power reductions of up to 650 MW were also forecasted during daytime hours. UNE reported faults in unit 3 of the Cienfuegos CTE, unit 2 of the Felton CTE, and unit 5 of Rente; as well as maintenance on units 1 and 3 of the Santa Cruz CTE and unit 1 of the Felton CTE.

On Friday, López Valdés announced "emergency actions" at several thermoelectric units that had breakdowns. The executive attributed the severe blackouts to the condition of the thermoelectric plants, high temperatures, and increased demand in the residential sector due to the purchase of many air conditioning units and electric motorcycles.

The energy crisis keeps the people in perpetual distress, with power outages that have exceeded 14 hours in some areas. The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel had to admit that the power outages in recent days have been "terrible".

The power outages have been terrible, up to 20 hours long, but that will be resolved. There are plants under maintenance, and this has been the strategy to prevent disruptions during the summer," said the same ruler who, in August 2022, announced his strategy to minimize blackouts before the end of that year and promised stability in the electricity supply for 2023.

Now, in mid-May 2024, Díaz-Canel repeats his speech as if Cubans retained in their memory the power outages of the last week. According to the Palace tenant, the situation must be explained "to people so they know there is an uncomfortable, but temporary situation."