The Electric Union (UNE) of Cuba justified this week the prolonged blackouts across the country by stating that many thermal power plants have been in operation for over 40 years without receiving the necessary capital maintenance cycles.
According to the general director of UNE, engineer Alfredo López Valdés, the extreme aging of the units has seriously complicated technical interventions, causing delays and unforeseen failures.
“It is very difficult to predict exactly when the repairs will be completed, because when you start taking things apart, you begin to encounter problems that were not originally anticipated,” declared López Valdés in a statement broadcast by the official media Canal Caribe.
The official explained that the units Santa Cruz 2 and Céspedes 4, which were supposed to be integrated into the electrical system during the summer months, were unable to synchronize due to the technical complexity of the repairs. Furthermore, hidden defects were identified in components manufactured in 2019 and 2020, despite having certifications at the time.
"We are not carrying out maintenance as it should be done. We have not had the financial capacity to resolve 100 percent of the issues," acknowledged the director of UNE.
On his part, Engineer Lázaro Guerra Hernández, General Director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, highlighted the progress in the macroprogram for solar investments, which includes 51 photovoltaic parks and four battery energy storage systems, with an announced investment of one billion dollars by 2025.
A prolonged and unresolved crisis
The justifications from the UNE come amidst an unprecedented energy crisis that the government itself has described as "severe", following a massive blackout that affected the entire eastern region of the country earlier this week. Authorities also confirmed that the Antonio Guiteras power plant, the most powerful in the country, will soon need to shut down for maintenance.
The collapse of the electric system is not new. In recent months, there have been accumulated failures in thermal generation, breaches in the supply of liquefied gas, and the shutdown of several floating power plants. Meanwhile, Cubans are facing power outages of up to 40 hours, amid increasing social frustration.
"This is not life": The people, pushed to the brink
The release of official statements has sparked a wave of citizen outrage. Comments such as “This has become psychological torture,” “It's no longer living, it's surviving,” or “Just kill us already, because we are being killed while alive,” summarize the widespread feeling of despair.
Even figures close to the government, such as journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández, have publicly denounced the situation. “How do you live with 28 hours of blackout for 2 hours of electricity? […] You don’t live,” she wrote on her Facebook profile.
The discomfort intensifies in the face of a deep inequality. Many citizens report that while they struggle to survive without electricity or food, the leaders enjoy power generators, gasoline, and comforts.
Resources do exist, but not for the people
Discontent is intensifying following the revelation that the military conglomerate GAESA manages over 18 billion dollars in liquid assets, a figure that starkly contrasts with the lack of resources claimed by UNE to justify the absence of capital maintenance in thermal power plants.
Investigative journalism reveals that the regime has continued to prioritize investments in hotels and luxury tourism —with minimal occupancy levels— while the population faces food shortages, endless blackouts, and a collapsed healthcare system.
"They're not going to use the millions that GAESA has to fix the thermoelectric plants because they prefer to keep stealing and building hotels,” complains a user on social media. Another adds: “They have power plants, gasoline, food. And for the people, tough it out."
For many Cubans, the root of the problem is not just technical, but also political and structural. The institutionalization of inequality for the benefit of a military elite has normalized extreme poverty as part of the governance model.
“Let them no longer say that the people resist; the people survive. And that, in these conditions, is a condemnation,” wrote another internet user. In Cuba in 2025, the darkness is not only that left by power outages but also that of a system that offers neither escape nor hope.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Situation of the Electric Union
Why are prolonged blackouts occurring in Cuba?
Prolonged blackouts in Cuba are due to the extreme aging of the power plants, which have been in operation for over 40 years without receiving the necessary maintenance cycles. In addition, there is a fuel deficit and technical problems at the plants, which exacerbates the energy crisis. The Electric Union (UNE) has indicated that the lack of funding prevents the required capital maintenance from being carried out.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve the electrical system?
The Cuban government has announced a major investment program in solar energy, which includes the construction of 51 photovoltaic parks and energy storage systems. However, these measures are still not enough to eliminate power outages, as solar generation is intermittent and does not replace the deteriorating thermal base.
What role does the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant play in Cuba's energy crisis?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the most powerful in the country, is essential for the Cuban electrical system. However, due to its obsolescence and lack of maintenance, its operation has been unstable, exacerbating the crisis. Recently, the plant has had to shut down for maintenance, which has increased power outages.
How does the energy crisis affect the Cuban population?
The energy crisis severely affects the Cuban population, who face power outages of up to 40 hours. This generates increasing social unrest, as the blackouts impact the quality of life, paralyze hospitals, interrupt food production, and damage household appliances. The perception of inequality also rises, as it is reported that leaders enjoy comforts while the people suffer.
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