On Tuesday, Cuba experienced one of the worst days of the year in terms of energy, with a record blackout of 2,020 megawatts (MW) at 10:00 PM, according to the Electric Union (UNE).
The disruption, which lasted for 24 hours, continued without improvements during the early hours of Wednesday, in a context characterized by breakdowns, prolonged maintenance, and a lack of fuel.
Despite the fact that this peak in impact did not coincide with the time of greatest demand, the figure exceeded the planned levels due to the inactivity of the Melones truck and unexpected outages of two units from the Mariel and Nuevitas thermoelectric plants.
The consequence was that thousands of Cubans were without electricity for extended periods, a particularly painful situation amid the suffocating summer heat.
The previous record, excluding the general power outages lasting several consecutive days, was reported on June 29, when the country registered a maximum impact of 1,936 MW, marking the worst day of the year within the series of collapses of the SEN, up until yesterday.
Outlook for today: deficits and cuts continue
The official report from UNE, issued at 7:00 am this Wednesday, confirms that the national electrical system continues to operate well below what is necessary.
The availability at that hour was only 1880 MW, while the demand had already reached 3140 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1310 MW from early on.
For midday, the UNE forecasts an impact of 1100 MW.
However, the situation worsens during peak hours, where the UNE estimates a supply of 1920 MW against a maximum demand of 3700 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1780 MW and an impact of up to 1850 MW, unless there is any favorable change.
Why does the system collapse?
The causes of the electrical collapse are multiple and structural.
According to UNE, the following units are currently out of service due to malfunctions: unit 2 from the CTE Felton, unit 5 from the CTE Nuevitas, and unit 3 from the CTE Renté.
Scheduled maintenance: the unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, unit 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE, unit 5 of the Renté CTE, and the Guiteras CTE, which went out of service on Monday morning for a scheduled maintenance intervention that will last for four days, remain out of service.
Thermal limitations: 239 MW are currently offline due to this reason.
Severe fuel shortage affecting 82 distributed generation plants (651 MW) and six engines in the Regla barge (40 MW), resulting in a total of 691 MW out of service due to lack of fuel.
The UNE expects to incorporate only 40 additional MW today with the start of the six engines from the Regla barge tonight, a figure insufficient to cover the growing gap between supply and demand.
Today, only 40 MW are expected to be added with the start-up of those engines in Regla, a negligible figure compared to the accumulated deficit
Situation in Havana
For its part, the Electric Company of Havana also shared information regarding the distribution of power outages by each residential block.
According to details shared on Facebook, the service was disrupted in the province for 24 hours on Tuesday. The peak impact was 134 MW at 10:00 PM.
"In the early hours of this Wednesday, there was an impact due to a deficit in the city; it was not necessary to affect another emergency block as previously reported. As we have explained, these impacts depend solely on the demands of the SEN," he detailed.
Solar energy: an insufficient patch
The photovoltaic system provided 1,729 MWh on Tuesday, with a peak power of 424 MW at noon, thanks to the 21 new solar parks installed in the country.
Although it provides partial relief, this source does not succeed in addressing the structural failures of the conventional system.
The discomfort grows
With this data, Cuba remains ensnared in a chronic energy crisis, which not only impacts the daily lives of the population but also worsens other essential sectors such as food production, health, and basic services.
In the midst of stifling heat, this new day of prolonged blackouts further impacts the quality of life for Cubans.
The persistence of the energy collapse reflects the government's inability to reverse the crisis in the short or medium term.
In a country where 89% of families live in extreme poverty, according to recent figures from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, the collapse of the electrical system represents not just a technical failure but a direct threat to the daily survival of millions of citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why are there mass blackouts in Cuba?
Massive blackouts in Cuba are caused by a deficit in electricity generation due to multiple breakdowns, prolonged maintenance, and a severe shortage of fuel. The thermoelectric units are frequently out of service, and distributed generation faces shutdowns due to lack of fuel, which prevents meeting the country's energy demand.
What is the current energy deficit in Cuba?
The energy deficit in Cuba has reached up to 2,000 MW during critical moments. This means that the availability of energy is significantly lower than the demand, which leads to prolonged blackouts and severely impacts the population and essential sectors such as health and food production.
What measures are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
The measures adopted include the incorporation of photovoltaic solar parks and the reactivation of some thermal power units undergoing maintenance. However, these actions are insufficient to resolve the collapse of the national power system, as investments in infrastructure and the response capacity to failures are limited.
What are the social consequences of blackouts in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are worsening the quality of life for the population, affecting access to basic services such as water and food refrigeration. Additionally, they exacerbate social unrest by restricting economic activity and general well-being, without a clear short-term solution.
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