Cuba is suffering from widespread blackouts due to an energy deficit exceeding 1,600 MW

The energy crisis in Cuba is worsening with simultaneous blackouts affecting more than half of the country on Monday, January 20, 2025, according to a report issued by the Cuban Electric Union (UNE). The day will be marked by a severe shortage of electricity generation capacity, with prolonged outages in several provinces.

Massive blackouts and energy deficit

The official report from the UNE indicates that yesterday, the disruptions began at 5:30 AM and continued throughout the night. The peak impact was recorded at 6:20 PM, with a deficit of 1,530 MW, exceeding the estimates due to a higher than anticipated demand.

For this Monday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) at 7:00 AM is 1,530 MW, while demand rises to 2,430 MW, resulting in an initial shortfall of 945 MW due to generation deficit. By noon, this figure is expected to increase to 1,250 MW.

The UNE anticipates that during the peak evening hours, electricity availability will be 1,640 MW, with an estimated demand of 3,250 MW. This implies a deficit of 1,610 MW and a real impact of 1,680 MW, confirming that more than 50% of the country will be without electricity at the worst time of the day.

Out-of-service plants and fuel shortages

One of the main factors exacerbating the crisis is the lack of generation at several thermal power plants (CTE) and the scarcity of fuel. Currently, nine production units are out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance:

• Out of order:
  • Unit 5 of the CTE Mariel
  • Unit 6 of the CTE Nuevitas
  • Unit 3 of the CTE Renté
  • Unit 2 of the CTE Felton
• Under maintenance:
  • Unit 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz
  • Unit of the CTE Guiteras
  • Units 3 and 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos
  • Unit 5 of the CTE Renté

Additionally, due to a shortage of diesel and fuel oil, 53 distributed generation plants are out of service, resulting in an additional loss of 296 MW in the total capacity of the SEN.

Measures and forecast for peak hours

In light of this critical situation, the UNE is awaiting the commissioning of unit 5 at the Mariel CTE with 60 MW and the stabilization of Energas Boca de Jaruco with another 60 MW. However, these additions prove insufficient to meet nighttime demand.

If current conditions remain unchanged, the country will face a significant generation deficit, which will result in massive power outages, severely affecting the daily lives of Cubans. The energy crisis persists without short-term solutions, as citizens endure prolonged blackouts and increasing uncertainty about the electricity supply in the coming days.