Blackouts in Cuba exceeded 2,100 MW, and today the situation remains critical

Blackouts in Cuba exceeded 2,100 MW in the most recent report from the National Electric System (SEN): the “maximum impact due to a deficit in generation capacity” was 2,147 MW at 6:30 PM the previous day, and the service was affected for a full 24 hours.

For this Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the report indicates that at 6:00 am, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,420 MW compared to a demand of 2,149 MW, with 770 MW already affected by capacity deficit; for the "midday" period, an impact of 1,120 MW was estimated.

Among the main issues impacting generation, the report mentions breakdowns at the Unit 5 of the Máximo Gómez Power Plant, Unit 5 of the Nuevitas Power Plant, Unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo Power Plant, and Unit 2 of the Felton Power Plant.

It also notes maintenance work on Unit 6 of the CTE Mariel, Units 2 and 3 of the CTE Santa Cruz, and Unit 4 of the CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Cienfuegos).

In addition, there are limitations in thermal generation that left 450 MW out of service.

The document also details the impacts due to fuel shortages: 91 distributed generation plants (815 MW) and 87 MW unavailable due to a lack of lubricant, resulting in a total of 993 MW affected for that reason.

For peak hours, the report anticipates an input of 60 MW (Unit 5 of CTE Renté), 80 MW from distributed generation motors, and four Moa Fuel engines that were out "due to lack of fuel."

With that forecast, a capacity of 1,610 MW and a maximum demand of 3,400 MW are estimated, which would result in a deficit of 1,790 MW; “if the expected conditions persist,” a shortfall of 1,820 MW is predicted during that time.

In Havana, this Tuesday there was a general blackout  and the day before, the electrical service was disrupted at 6:04 PM.

The highest impact was 408 MW at 6:00 p.m., and the service was restored at 9:52 p.m. Additionally, it specifies that there was no service disruption due to capacity deficit during the early morning.

The situation of the electrical system in Cuba is critical, with prolonged and rotating blackouts due to a generation deficit exceeding 1,800 MW.

Breakdowns at the main thermoelectric plants, along with a lack of fuel, have left much of the country without electricity for long hours.