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The Electric Union (UNE) announced in its daily report that during peak hour this Friday, outages could reach 1,435 MW.
Although lower than the forecast for yesterday, the deficit remains extremely high and signals a Valentine's Day in the dark for millions of Cubans on the island.
According to official data, the maximum service disruption yesterday reached 1,668 MW at 7:50 p.m., coinciding with the peak demand. The figure is lower than the 1,810 estimated for yesterday by UNE.
At 7:00 a.m. today, the system's availability was 1,550 MW, while demand reached 2,450 MW, resulting in a deficit of 960 MW.
It is expected that this impact will increase to 1,200 MW by noon.
The number of thermoelectric units in the country that are out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance decreased from 10 to seven, which is why there is a slight improvement in today's forecast.
Three units are out of service: unit 3 from CTE Santa Cruz and units 1 and 2 from CTE Felton.
Four others are under maintenance: Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Power Plant, Units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos Power Plant, and Unit 5 of the Renté Power Plant.
Due to thermal restrictions, 331 MW are out of service. Additionally, the lack of fuel affects 493 MW, of which 374 MW correspond to 58 distributed generation plants and 119 MW to the Mariel fuel power plant.
Forecast for peak hours
During peak demand hours, a recovery of 150 MW in distributed generation that is currently out of service due to lack of fuel is expected, along with the addition of two engines from the Patana de Melones, which will provide an additional 35 MW.
With this forecast, the system's availability would reach 1,735 MW, while the expected peak demand is 3,100 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,365 MW.
If these conditions persist, the impact could reach 1,435 MW.
Blackouts in Havana
The Electric Company of Havana, for its part, reported that as of this morning, "greater availability in electricity generation" has been incorporated, which will allow for the usual planning of power outages to be maintained.
For this February 14, the electric service in the capital will be affected as follows:
Blocks #3 and #4: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Block # 1: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Block #2: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Suspension of work activities and classes in Cuba
Although the forecast for blackouts today is lower than that of all the days this week, the Cuban government announced the suspension of work and educational activities for Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15 due to the severe energy crisis the country is facing.
“Considering the energy situation facing the country and with the aim of contributing to the necessary savings in electricity consumption to mitigate the impact on the population, it has been decided to suspend non-essential teaching and work activities on the upcoming days of February 14 and 15,” announced the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS).
The official note clarified that basic services for the population will be maintained, and that the workers affected by the measure will receive “protection equivalent to the salary scale of the position they hold, in accordance with what is established in the Labor Code.”
A crisis without a solution
The Cuban government has resorted to temporary solutions in recent years to alleviate its energy crisis, but these have not managed to resolve the structural problem facing the country.
They even rented up to eight floating power plants from a Turkish company, a quick but costly measure. However, five of these infrastructures left the country last year, further leaving the already deteriorated national electrical system vulnerable.
The constant breakdowns of the outdated thermoelectric plants, which have been operating for decades without adequate investment for their maintenance, are compounded by a lack of fuel
Various estimates indicate that it would require between 8 billion and 10 billion dollars to modernize the National Electric System, an investment that is beyond the reach of the Cuban government.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Cuba during Valentine's Day 2025
Why will there be blackouts in Cuba during Valentine's Day 2025?
There will be blackouts due to a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity in Cuba. This is due to multiple breakdowns in thermoelectric units, thermal restrictions, a lack of fuel, and the ineffectiveness of the Cuban regime to properly manage the electricity supply.
What is the expected electricity generation deficit for Valentine's Day?
For Valentine's Day, a generation deficit of 1,365 MW during peak hours is expected, which could result in outages of up to 1,435 MW, significantly impacting the Cuban population throughout the day.
How will the blackouts impact work and educational activities in Cuba?
Due to the energy crisis, the Cuban government has suspended non-essential work and educational activities for February 14 and 15. This measure aims to contribute to energy savings and mitigate the impact on the population.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has turned to temporary solutions, such as renting floating power plants, but these measures have not resolved the structural problems of the electrical system. The lack of adequate investment and ineffective management continue to impact the country's generation capacity.
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