On a date marked by parades, slogans, and patriotic choreographies, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) announced this May 1st a reduction in the electricity generation deficit that sounds almost miraculous: after weeks in which the country has endured blackouts exceeding 1,500 and even 1,800 megawatts in daily impact, the official forecast for peak hours this Thursday fell below 1,200 MW.
According to the official report issued by the state-owned company, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) at 7:00 a.m. was 1,985 MW against a demand of 2,450 MW, with 550 MW affected by capacity deficit.
By noon, a shortfall of 780 MW was expected, but the figure that has attracted the most attention is from peak hours: with a projected maximum demand of 3,150 MW and an estimated availability of 2,035 MW, the deficit would stand at 1,115 MW, with a projected impact of 1,185 MW.
Although it remains a high figure, the sudden drop in the level of impact compared to previous days raises skepticism.
The coincidence with the national parade for May Day does not seem to be a coincidence: the reduction in the forecast for blackouts appears to be a maneuver to mask the energy crisis on a key day for the regime, which aims to project an image of stability and control to the population and the international community, as well as popular support.
There are no significant changes that justify such a reduction. The thermal power plants continue to experience major issues: Unit 6 of the Renté CTE and Unit 2 of the Felton CTE are out of service, while others—such as Unit 2 in Santa Cruz, Units 3 and 4 in Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 in Renté—are under maintenance.
In addition, 69 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, which accounts for an additional 558 MW offline. This is complemented by 399 MW of thermal limitations.
As a "positive" note, the UNE mentioned that eight new solar photovoltaic parks produced 940 MWh, a contribution that is insufficient to cover the energy gap but useful for the propaganda balance on dates like this.
However, the Electric Company of Havana reported on Facebook that, despite the "miraculous" national report, power outages in the capital would continue throughout the day.
According to their informational report, disruptions were scheduled for all user blocks from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., in a rotating scheme that dispels any sense of normalcy.
"Considering the generation deficit in the National Electric System for today, it is necessary to impact the customers in the capital," the entity stated.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Blackouts in Cuba
Why does the Cuban Electric Union reduce the forecast for blackouts on May 1st?
The reduction in the blackout forecast coincides with the national parade for May Day, suggesting that it could be a maneuver to project an image of stability on a critical date for the regime. However, there are no significant changes in the infrastructure to justify this reduction, which has generated skepticism among the population.
What is the current situation of the thermal power plants in Cuba?
Currently, several units of the thermal power plants in Cuba are out of service due to breakdowns and maintenance. Key units such as those at CTE Renté, Felton, and Santa Cruz are experiencing significant failures, which contributes to the deficit in electricity generation and, consequently, to blackouts in the country.
What does solar energy contribute to the energy crisis in Cuba?
Although new photovoltaic solar parks have been incorporated, their contribution remains insufficient to meet the country's energy demand. These solar parks generate an amount of energy that is marginal compared to the current deficit and fail to compensate for the shortcomings of the national electrical system.
How does the energy crisis affect the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis is severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans, causing frequent interruptions in the electricity supply that hinder essential activities such as cooking and refrigerating food. This generates strong discontent among the population, who are dealing with prolonged and constant blackouts, affecting their quality of life.
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