Blackout night in Havana amid record energy deficit in Cuba

Only hotels and government buildings such as the Central Committee of the PCC, MININT, and MINFAR remained lit in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, highlighting the regime's priorities, as denounced by the profile La Tijera on Facebook.

Blackout in CubaPhoto © CiberCuba

The night of Saturday, June 29, marked a new negative milestone in the energy crisis in Cuba, with a total blackout in large areas of Havana, especially in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, where electricity was cut off without mercy from 6:00 p.m.

Only hotels, government buildings such as the Central Committee of the PCC, the MININT, and the MINFAR remained illuminated, highlighting the regime's priorities amidst widespread darkness, as denounced by the profile La Tijera on Facebook with images of Vedado in complete darkness.

Facebook Post/The Scissors

Nationally, the maximum impact reached 1,936 megawatts (MW) at 9:40 p.m., coinciding with peak consumption hours, leaving millions of Cubans without electricity at the worst moment of the day. This figure represents the worst deficit recorded so far in 2025 and one of the most severe since the onset of the energy crisis that escalated in 2023.

The interruption of the electrical service lasted throughout the 24 hours of Saturday and extended into the early hours of Sunday, deepening the collapse of a system unable to ensure even basic service.

To top it off, at 7:00 a.m. this Sunday, the available generation was only 1,625 MW, compared to a national demand of 3,100 MW, leading to a deficit of 1,467 MW, which was projected to grow to 1,650 MW by noon, according to the Electric Union (UNE).

The technical outlook is alarming: four key generating units are out of service (Mariel, Nuevitas, and Felton), three others are under indefinite maintenance, and thermal limitations are removing an additional 356 MW from the system. Furthermore, the lack of fuel has rendered 111 distributed generation plants out of operation (860 MW), along with 31 MW inactive due to a lack of lubricants, totaling 891 MW rendered unusable solely due to a lack of resources.

Although the UNE plans to add 292 MW through smaller units and recovered engines, the projection for this Sunday remains catastrophic: a deficit of 1,683 MW is expected, with an impact that could reach 1,753 MW during peak hours.

The 18 photovoltaic solar parks, which produced only 1,775 MWh, are insufficient to alleviate a structural collapse that has thermal, financial, and management causes.

Cuba is not only in the dark: it is heading towards a total energy collapse, while a regime without real solutions keeps the people enveloped in darkness, heat, and despair, in one of the worst scenarios the country has experienced in decades.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba

What was the energy deficit record recorded in Cuba in 2025?

On June 29, 2025, Cuba recorded a historic energy deficit of 1,936 MW, the worst of the year and one of the most serious since the intensification of the crisis in 2023. This deficit left millions of Cubans without electricity during peak demand hours, reflecting a significant collapse of the National Electric Power System (SEN).

What factors contribute to the energy collapse in Cuba?

The energy crisis in Cuba is due to multiple factors, among which breakdowns in key generating units, prolonged maintenance without a date for reintegration, thermal limitations, and lack of fuel stand out. These circumstances have resulted in a chronic deficit in electricity generation that the regime has been unable to resolve with effective solutions.

How does the energy crisis affect the Cuban population?

The energy crisis in Cuba seriously affects the quality of life of the population, with prolonged blackouts impacting access to electricity for basic needs such as food refrigeration, water supply, and the functioning of essential services like hospitals and schools. The lack of electricity also exacerbates heat conditions and increases frustration and social unrest.

What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?

Despite the seriousness of the problem, the Cuban government has not implemented effective structural solutions to resolve the energy crisis. The Electric Union (UNE) has attempted to mitigate the deficit by incorporating photovoltaic solar parks and smaller units, but these efforts have been insufficient given the magnitude of the energy collapse.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.