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The Cuban electrical system is experiencing one of its most critical days this Friday, September 26, 2025, with a forecast of disruptions exceeding 1,600 megawatts (MW) during peak nighttime hours, as reported by the Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE).
The state-owned company indicated that, during peak demand hours, around 7:00 p.m., only 1,950 MW of availability is expected against an estimated demand of 3,550 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,600 MW. As a consequence, a real impact on the service of up to 1,670 MW is anticipated if the current conditions persist.
Sustained impacts and critical situation
During the previous day, the electrical service was disrupted for 24 hours and remained unrecovered early Friday morning. The highest impact on the 25th was 1,691 MW, recorded at 9:30 p.m.
Although the generation from renewable sources contributed 3,260 MWh thanks to the 31 new photovoltaic solar parks, with a peak capacity of 662 MW at noon, this contribution has not been enough to balance the country's serious energy situation.
The current outlook of the National Electric System (SEN) is worsened by a breakdown in Unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant, maintenance work being carried out on units 1 and 2 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant and on unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermoelectric Plant in Cienfuegos, in addition to thermal limitations that keep 492 MW offline. This is compounded by a lack of fuel and lubricants, which affects 56 distributed generation plants (with 460 MW out of service) and leaves another 153 MW unavailable, bringing the total impact from this cause to 624 MW.
Although a partial recovery of 80 MW is expected for the nighttime peak due to offline engines, the impact remains significant.
Scheduled blackouts in Havana
The Electric Company of Havana (EELH) reported that service was interrupted the previous day at 5:00 p.m. and was not restored until 3:05 a.m. this Thursday. The peak impact was 158 MW at 9:30 p.m.
The schedule for cuts on September 26 and the early morning of Friday, September 27 includes outages in blocks during rotating shifts lasting two to four hours. The company clarified that the cuts will depend on the demands of the SEN and that unforeseen interruptions could occur due to faults.
Without short-term solutions
Electrical service disruptions in Cuba continue without a clear path to resolution. Limitations due to maintenance, technical failures, and fuel shortages affect not only electricity generation but also the daily lives of citizens, who endure entire days without power.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Blackout Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a deficit in electricity generation in Cuba?
The deficit in electricity generation in Cuba is due to a combination of breakdowns, maintenance issues, and a lack of fuel. Unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant is out of service due to a malfunction, and several other units are undergoing maintenance. Additionally, the shortage of fuel and lubricants is impacting numerous distributed generation plants, exacerbating the problem.
What are the consequences of blackouts in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba have a significant impact on the daily lives of Cubans. They affect household activities, basic services such as hospitals and transportation, and contribute to the deterioration of the family economy. The population faces entire days without electricity, creating an increasingly tense social atmosphere.
What measures are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
Although photovoltaic solar parks have been installed to improve generation, these measures are not enough to alleviate the crisis. Renewable generation is unable to compensate for the structural deficit of the system, and the lack of an energy diversification strategy remains a critical issue. The Electric Union publishes daily reports on the situation, but no real short-term solutions have been announced.
How does outdated infrastructure affect the electricity crisis in Cuba?
Obsolete infrastructure is one of the main problems of the Cuban electrical system. Aging thermoelectric plants that are frequently out of service cannot meet the current demand. The lack of investment in energy infrastructure and dependence on imported fuels perpetuate the crisis, significantly limiting the system's ability to respond to consumption demands.
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