In a special appearance this Wednesday on the television program Mesa Redonda, the director of the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE), Alfredo López Valdés, publicly acknowledged that the national electric system is facing a serious situation, characterized by prolonged blackouts, a lack of fuel, and outdated infrastructure.
"The situation of the electrical system is serious. There are long hours of blackouts that make it impossible to rotate the circuits. We are working on the repair of five generator blocks that, once synchronized, will provide more than 500 megawatts," stated López Valdés.
The director of the UNE stated that, although the technical availability of distributed generation has been raised —with up to 1,000 MW available—, the lack of diesel prevents its sustained operation.
This fuel deficit directly impacts the country's ability to provide a stable electricity service, especially in rural areas and during peak hours.
Meanwhile, he noted that the timeline for the installation of photovoltaic solar parks remains in effect.
It is expected that by the end of 2025, at least 10% of the national electricity will come from renewable sources, although it was acknowledged that its impact is still not sufficient to eliminate blackouts.
The critical situation is compounded by the announcement that the thermoelectric plants Antonio Guiteras (Matanzas) and Felton 1 (Holguín) will go out of service before summer for maintenance work, which could further exacerbate the energy crisis during the months of highest demand.
"The intervention will be brief to prevent further damage," assured Lázaro Guerra Hernández, director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem).
However, he warned that Guiteras could shut down at the end of the year for major maintenance.
Currently, daily power outages exceed 1,600 MW during peak hours. Although the total installed capacity in thermoelectric plants is 1,993 MW, it is estimated that in July only about 1,120 MW will be available, with a slight improvement projected for August.
Since 2018, the importation of more than 17 million appliances and motorized equipment has steadily increased energy demand.
This increase, combined with high temperatures and technical obsolescence, has led to the collapse of electrical transformers, as recently occurred in Havana, where 10 units failed in a single day.
Cuba plans to have 51 solar parks operational with a combined capacity of 1,115 MW by January 2026. However, experts point out that solar generation does not provide stability to the system due to its dependence on weather conditions, which is why hybrid solutions with storage systems and thermal engines are being explored.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the electrical system in Cuba?
The situation of the electrical system in Cuba is serious, with prolonged and frequent outages exceeding 1,600 MW during peak hours. The lack of fuel and the obsolescence of the infrastructure worsen the crisis, limiting the capacity for generation and electricity supply throughout the country.
What measures is Cuba taking to address the energy crisis?
Cuba is working on repairing generator blocks and maintains a schedule for the installation of photovoltaic solar parks. It is expected that at least 10% of electricity will come from renewable sources by 2025. However, these measures are not sufficient to eliminate blackouts due to dependence on the weather and the lack of effective hybrid solutions.
Why are the Guiteras and Felton thermal power plants out of service?
The Antonio Guiteras and Felton thermoelectric plants are out of service for urgent maintenance work. These interventions are necessary to prevent larger breakdowns during the peak demand months, although this does increase the instability of the electrical system in the short term.
What impact does the lack of fuel have on the electricity crisis in Cuba?
The lack of fuel is one of the main factors exacerbating the energy crisis in Cuba. This shortage hinders the sustained operation of distributed generation and severely limits the country's ability to provide a stable electricity service, especially during peak hours and in high-demand areas.
What are the short-term projections for electricity supply in Cuba?
The projections indicate that blackouts will continue in Cuba due to the system's inability to meet current demand. Although some improvements are expected with the addition of new units and renewable energy sources, no short-term solution is anticipated that will completely stabilize the electrical supply on the island.
Filed under: