The National Electric System (SEN) is experiencing another tense day this Saturday, following hours of widespread service disruptions that persisted throughout the night and are expected to continue throughout the day, especially during the peak evening hours.
According to the official report from the Unión Eléctrica, the energy availability at 7:00 AM was only 1750 megawatts (MW), while demand had already reached 2280 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 562 MW.
By midday, a shortfall of 1150 MW is expected, but the most challenging moment is projected for the evening peak hours, when demand could rise to as high as 1570 MW.
During the day on Friday, the service disruption lasted for 24 hours, with the supply not being fully restored even in the early hours of today.
The most complex moment occurred at 8:00 PM, when the deficit reached 1,657 MW, coinciding with the peak of national demand. This figure not only exceeded the planned levels but was also aggravated by delays in the operation of the Moa engines and higher-than-expected consumption.
The energy deficit, which already far exceeds the capacity to respond in many areas of the country, is further exacerbated by a combination of structural factors, scheduled maintenance, and unforeseen failures in key thermoelectric plants, as well as a critical fuel shortage that restricts the operation of dozens of distributed generation plants.
Among the main reported breakdowns are two units from the Mariel and Felton thermoelectric plants. Additionally, five blocks from the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté power plants remain out of service for maintenance.
In total, 369 MW are out of service due to thermal limitations, along with 441 MW from 77 distributed generation plants that are idle due to a lack of fuel, and another 79 MW are down due to a lack of lubricants, highlighting an extremely fragile situation for the system.
The SEN recorded a modest production of renewable energy: the eight new photovoltaic solar parks generated a total of 1052 MWh the previous day, a contribution insufficient to cover the growing deficit.
For peak hours, although the return of 200 MW from currently stopped engines due to lack of fuel is expected, the total availability would barely reach 1950 MW, against a demand of 3450 MW.
Under this scenario, the deficit would be around 1500 MW, with an estimated actual impact of 1570 MW if the current conditions persist.
Everyday Impact and Measures
These figures suggest prolonged power outages throughout the country, especially in residential areas, where supply is given less priority during peak consumption hours.
The impacts affect not only households but also commerce, production, and public services, in a context where the population is already facing multiple economic and social challenges.
The energy landscape in Cuba continues to reflect the structural difficulties of the system, impacted by years of deterioration, dependence on fossil fuels, and a complex international context.
In the short term, no definitive solutions are in sight, and energy authorities emphasize the need to rationalize consumption and support the transition to renewable sources, although these do not represent a significant percentage of the national energy matrix.
The situation requires not only an immediate technical response but also a sustainable and long-term strategy to stabilize the SEN and reduce vulnerability to contingencies like those the country is facing today.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is the deficit in electricity generation, which exceeds 1,500 MW. This deficit is due to a combination of breakdowns in thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance, and a critical shortage of fuel that affects distributed generation.
How does the fuel shortage affect electricity generation in Cuba?
The scarcity of fuel has taken numerous distributed generation plants out of service, adding hundreds of megawatts to the energy deficit. This situation seriously limits the capacity of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) to meet electricity demand, especially during peak consumption times.
What measures are the Cuban authorities taking to address the energy crisis?
The authorities have implemented scheduled outages and promote the transition to renewable sources, although these still do not represent a significant percentage of the national energy matrix. Furthermore, there is an insistence on the need to rationalize consumption. However, so far, no definitive short-term solutions have been announced.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Prolonged power outages seriously affect the daily lives of Cubans, interrupting essential activities such as cooking, using appliances, and food preservation. In addition, they negatively impact commerce, production, and public services, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and frustration.
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