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The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported that the country is facing a new wave of power outages due to a generation deficit exceeding 1,500 megawatts (MW), indicating that the blackouts will persist in the coming hours and days.
According to the UNE report, the electric service was interrupted yesterday from 6:36 a.m. to 2:59 a.m. today. Subsequently, the disruption began again at 4:48 a.m. The highest recorded impact was 1,362 MW during the peak hour of 6:50 p.m.
At 7:00 a.m., the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,655 MW, while the demand reached 2,210 MW, resulting in a deficit of 589 MW. By noon, it was estimated that the impact would reach 980 MW.
The energy crisis is due to several combined causes, including breakdowns, scheduled maintenance, and lack of fuel. Currently, unit 1 of the Santa Cruz CTE and unit 2 of the Felton CTE are out of service due to breakdowns. In addition, unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE, and unit 5 of the Renté CTE are under maintenance. The limitations in thermal generation reach 411 MW.
Due to a lack of fuel, 65 distributed generation plants totaling 421 MW and the Patana de Melones with 192 MW remain out of service, which represents a total of 613 MW affected.
During peak demand hours, a recovery of 100 MW is expected from distributed generation motors, along with the addition of six motors at the Melones site, providing an additional 90 MW. However, UNE estimates that total availability will reach 1,845 MW, while maximum demand could rise to 3,300 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,455 MW. This could lead to outages of up to 1,525 MW during nighttime hours.
The Antonio Guiteras power plant, one of the most important in the country, has been operating at reduced capacity due to issues with its boiler. At night, the unit managed to reach 250 MW but had to reduce output to 120 MW due to a "red point" in the boiler, as reported by UNE. Technicians managed to address the failure without stopping generation, allowing the load to be raised again to 225 MW as a precautionary measure.
The official journalist José Miguel Solís reported statements from engineer Jorge Gómez Sánchez, deputy production director of the Guiteras, who confirmed that the repair was successful, although the unit will continue operating at 225 MW until a reinspection in the morning to determine if it is safe to increase the power.
The energy crisis has generated increasing unrest among the population, which is voicing concerns about the instability of the power supply and its impact on daily life. Users on social media have questioned official reports and the management of UNE. “How is it possible that Felton and Guiteras have been added to the SEN and that the deficit today is higher than it was yesterday?” one user asked. Another comment stated: “Either you are liars or the calculations are incorrect; I'm leaning towards the former.”
Other Cubans have expressed resignation and frustration over what they consider a structural problem without a short-term solution. “The blackouts are here to stay,” lamented one user, while another added, “It’s better not to comment because it raises my blood pressure and gives me chest pains, and anyway, every day is just a faithful copy of the one before."
Social unrest is also evident among those who believe that the electricity crisis is a mockery of the population. “It’s an insult to the suffering people. What was the point of synchronizing Felton and Guiteras if we’re in the same situation or worse? Everything coming from the UNE is a failure,” criticized an internet user. Another questioned the passivity towards the situation: “What the hell is this? Guiteras and Felton are online and we're above 1,500. People, how much longer are we going to put up with this? We need to take to the streets to demand our rights.”
In January 2025, Cuba experienced power outages of up to 20 hours a day in several provinces. The Guiteras plant has encountered recurring failures, which have affected its generation capacity. In provinces such as Holguín, Camagüey, and Santiago de Cuba, the outages have led to sporadic protests in recent months.
The electricity landscape in Cuba remains uncertain. The lack of generation, instability in thermal power plants, and the fuel crisis continue to be factors that worsen the situation, with no short-term solution from the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why are there blackouts in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are caused by a deficit in electricity generation due to the shutdown of several thermoelectric units for repairs and maintenance, as well as the scarcity of fuel affecting distributed generation plants. These limitations prevent the national demand for electricity from being met, resulting in constant interruptions in service.
How do power outages affect the daily life of Cubans?
Blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, hindering essential activities such as cooking and using household appliances. Furthermore, they affect the economy and the overall well-being of the population, creating growing social discontent due to the constant and prolonged interruptions in electrical service.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the energy crisis?
The response from the Cuban government has been insufficient to address the energy crisis. No effective long-term solutions have been implemented, and the population continues to suffer the effects of blackouts. Promises of improvement have not materialized, leading to frustration and protests in various regions of the country.
What is the projection for power outages in Cuba for the coming days?
According to the Electric Union of Cuba, power outages are expected to continue affecting the country, with electricity generation availability far below demand. For the coming days, disruptions in the electricity service are forecasted to exceed 1,000 MW during peak hours, further exacerbating the current situation.
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