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The Christmas Eve of 2025 in Cuba will be marked by the light that does not reach the homes.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported that the country's electrical system is facing a critical generation deficit, with massive blackouts affecting millions of Cubans during the Christmas celebrations.
According to the report published by UNE, on December 23rd, the electrical service was interrupted for 24 hours, reaching its peak impact of 2,184 MW (a figure close to the record) at 6:30 PM.
On December 24th, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) at 6:00 AM was just 1,320 MW, while demand reached 2,294 MW, resulting in a deficit of 988 MW.
At half-past, an impact of 1,150 MW is estimated.
The UNE explained that the interruptions are due to a combination of structural issues: breakdowns in four thermoelectric units at the Antonio Maceo (Renté) plant in Santiago de Cuba, Mariel, Felton, and Diez de Octubre (Nuevitas), as well as maintenance work on three blocks of the Mariel, Santa Cruz, and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Cienfuegos) plants.
In addition, there are limitations in thermal generation amounting to 536 MW offline, along with a lack of fuel, affecting 1,151 MW among distributed plants, the Moa Fuel Plant, and a shortage of lubricants.
During peak hours, the entry of Unit 6 from the Mariel CTE is expected with 20 MW, which is currently already ramping up its load.
Despite this, the forecast is bleak: a supply of only 1,340 MW, which is just over one-third of the maximum demand (3,300 MW), resulting in a deficit of 1,960 MW, leading to an expected shortfall of 1,990 MW.
Solar generation, despite the addition of 33 new photovoltaic parks and the production of 2,418 MWh, is only able to deliver 479 MW during peak hours, which is insufficient to meet demand. This reflects the country's reliance on outdated infrastructure and the government's inability to ensure a stable supply.
In Havana, the Electric Company of the capital confirmed that on Tuesday, due to low availability in generation, the schedule could not be met.
There were 14 hours and 29 minutes of supply outages, with a peak of 435 MW at 6:30 PM. As of this report, blocks 3, 4, 5, and 6 remain affected.
The entity made the worst announcement it could on this date:
"Due to low availability in generation, we inform our users that today it will NOT be possible to meet the planned schedule," it was announced.
"Several blocks will be affected by EMERGENCY and, as long as the requirements of the SEN allow, the blocks will be rotated according to those that have been affected for the longest time," he concluded.
Cubans on social media express their frustration with the vulnerability of the energy infrastructure and the government's inability to guarantee essential basic services, even on dates like Christmas Eve and Christmas, while the population is forced to endure prolonged blackouts that hinder any celebration.
Cubans will have to adjust to a Christmas marked by darkness and uncertainty, as experts emphasize that the measures depend solely on the "availability of generation," and the regime provides no solutions.
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