The Electric Union (UNE) announced on Sunday a reduction in the expected outages for the day, compared to the high deficits recorded in previous weeks, which have repeatedly exceeded 2,000 megawatts (MW).
According to the official report, the estimated impact during today's peak period will be 1,390 MW, a figure lower than recent peaks and similar to the maximum impact recorded yesterday.
On Saturday, August 9, the UNE reported that the maximum impact due to generation capacity deficit was 1,389 MW, recorded at 7:10 PM. This figure, although high, was below the most critical days of this summer, such as August 6 (2,010 MW), August 5 (1,952 MW), or July 22, when a record of 2,054 MW was reached for the year.
Today, Sunday, at 6:00 AM, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 2,130 MW compared to a demand of 2,483 MW, with only 326 MW affected at that time.
For the time around midday, a power shortfall of 770 MW is anticipated. In the late afternoon to evening, when peak consumption is expected, the projected deficit is 1,320 MW, with an anticipated impact of 1,390 MW.
The SEN has kept Unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant out of service due to a malfunction, while three key plants — Unit 2 of Santa Cruz, Unit 4 of Céspedes in Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 of Renté — are undergoing maintenance.
In addition, 491 MW are reported to be thermally limited and 61 distributed generation plants are inoperable due to a lack of fuel, which results in an additional loss of 446 MW.
The coincidence of this apparent improvement with the approach of August 13, the birthday of Fidel Castro, does not go unnoticed.
It was precisely Castro who in 2006 launched the so-called "energy revolution", a program that promised to modernize the electrical system through the massive installation of diesel generators, the replacement of household appliances, and targeted repairs in thermal power plants.
In the short term, with the support of Venezuelan oil, blackouts were reduced. However, the model proved unsustainable: distributed generation ceased due to a lack of fuel and spare parts, the plants continued to age, and the transmission network was never modernized comprehensively.
Almost two decades later, the country is experiencing its worst energy crisis in modern history. The daily deficit has become a constant, and for many Cubans, 1,390 MW is now perceived as a “relief” compared to days exceeding 2,000 MW. Social resignation has set in: there is no longer an expectation for stable electricity service, but rather for shorter or less prolonged blackouts.
In this context, today's reduction generates both skepticism and suspicion. There are many who believe that, as in previous years, the regime is trying to ensure some stability ahead of political events and official commemorations, even if it means manipulating the system and the figures, or redirecting resources temporarily.
The current crisis is not a result of chance or external circumstances: it is the direct consequence of the policies and decisions of Fidel Castro and the “continuity” unwaveringly maintained by his political heirs, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel. A regime incapable of producing energy, food, or well-being, but that continues to be efficient in the only area it excels in: manufacturing propaganda and indoctrination.
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