Millions of Cubans without electricity: The regime announces a deficit of over 1,600 MW

The Electric Union (UNE) reported that throughout yesterday, the country experienced disruptions over a 24-hour period, with a maximum interruption of 1,790 megawatts (MW) at 6:30 p.m., due to a deficit in generation capacity.

At six in the morning this Friday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,605 MW, while demand reached 2,480 MW, resulting in a deficit of 816 MW. For the peak evening hours, UNE anticipates an even more critical situation, with a deficit of 1,535 MW and disruptions that could affect up to 1,605 MW if current conditions persist.

Out of service power plants and fuel shortages

Unit 2 of the Felton thermoelectric plant and unit 6 of the Renté thermoelectric plant remain out of service, while two other units — unit 2 of Santa Cruz del Norte and unit 4 of Cienfuegos — are undergoing scheduled maintenance.

The limitations in thermal generation reach 528 MW, exacerbated by a lack of fuel, which keeps 93 distributed generation plants out of service, in addition to 60 MW in the Fuel Oil plant in Mariel and 75 MW due to a lack of lubricant, totaling 925 MW unavailable.

Although the commissioning of five engines at the Mariel site is anticipated, with a capacity of 60 MW, the contribution will be minimal in light of the extent of the energy deficit.

The UNE highlighted that the 32 new photovoltaic solar parks contributed 2,739 MWh during the day, with a maximum power of 486 MW. However, renewable production remains insufficient to meet the growing national demand and to offset the instability of thermal and distributed power plants.

The Havana Electric Company reported that the capital also experienced outages of up to 22 hours on Thursday. The maximum interruption reached 294 MW at 6:00 p.m., and although the service was restored around midnight, 100 MW of emergency were reported in the afternoon.

During the early hours of this Friday, no outages due to shortages were reported, but residents of Havana fear that the situation may worsen again with the increase in nighttime consumption.

The collapse of the Cuban electrical system reflects the deep structural crisis facing the country, marked by a lack of maintenance, fuel shortages, and reliance on outdated plants. The regime insists on showcasing progress with renewable energy, but the reality for millions of Cubans is daily blackouts, cold stoves, and nights without fans under the siege of mosquitoes.