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The energy crisis in Cuba is deepening, leaving millions of citizens at the mercy of prolonged blackouts that already exceed 20 hours a day in many regions of the country.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported that on Friday service was continuously interrupted, extending throughout the early hours of Saturday.
The generation capacity deficit reached its peak at 8:40 PM, with 1,651 MW affected, highlighting the structural fragility of the National Electric System (SEN).
The UNE reported that at 6:00 AM today, the actual availability of the SEN was 1,680 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,103 MW. This situation is expected to recur during peak consumption hours, with an estimated impact of 1,660 MW.
At peak hours, an impact of 980 MW is expected.
The situation reflects the accumulation of issues that leave Cubans without energy, such as breakdowns in three units of the Felton, Mariel, and Renté power plants; and scheduled maintenance that includes three other units from the Santa Cruz and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plants in Cienfuegos.
In addition, there are thermal limitations that keep 425 MW out of service.
This is compounded by issues arising from the lack of fuel and lubricants, which affect 59 distributed generation plants with 501 MW and another 154 MW unavailable due to a lack of lubricant, totaling 655 MW out of service for these reasons.
The forecasts from UNE barely account for a partial recovery in generation: an additional 80 MW from fuel-distributed engines, 90 MW from unit 6 of the CTE Mariel currently being started up, and 40 MW from unit 6 of Energás Jaruco.
This will only partially alleviate the crisis during peak hours, when a availability of 1,890 MW is estimated against a maximum demand of 3,480 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,590 MW.
With these figures, if the projected conditions remain in place, the impact will be 1,660 MW.
Despite the addition of 31 new photovoltaic solar parks, which produced 2,715 MWh and reached a maximum capacity of 558 MW, the contribution is insufficient in light of the growing demand.
The repeated inability of the Cuban government to ensure basic electricity supply is evident in this combination of obsolete infrastructure, fuel shortages, and recurring technical failures, which condemns the population to experience continuous and prolonged blackouts, affecting homes, hospitals, schools, and economic activity.
The data from UNE shows that, rather than effective solutions, the situation continues to worsen, while citizens endure the inefficiency and lack of planning of the national electrical system.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of electricity supply in Cuba?
Cuba is facing an energy crisis that has caused prolonged blackouts, affecting millions of people. The electricity generation deficit exceeds 1,600 MW, resulting in power outages of over 20 hours a day in many areas of the country.
What are the main causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The crisis is due to a combination of factors, including breakdowns at thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance of key units, thermal limitations, and shortages of fuel and lubricants. These deficiencies have rendered a significant portion of the country's electricity generation capacity inoperative.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The government has attempted to alleviate the situation by incorporating photovoltaic solar parks and plans to increase the use of renewable energy. However, these measures have not been sufficient to cover the generation deficit, and the situation remains critical.
How do power outages affect daily life in Cuba?
Prolonged blackouts severely affect daily life, impacting homes, hospitals, schools, and overall economic activity. The lack of electricity hinders access to basic services and deteriorates the quality of life for the population, who face additional challenges such as heat, water scarcity, and food insecurity.
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