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Cuba woke up on February 16, 2026, with power outages that have persisted uninterrupted since the previous day, according to the official report from the Electric Union (UNE) on the status of the National Electric System (SEN).
According to the state entity, the service was affected by a generation capacity deficit throughout the 24 hours on Sunday. The peak recorded was 1,698 megawatts (MW) at 7:10 PM. The situation continued into the early hours of this Monday.
Current situation of the system
At 06:00 hours, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,240 MW against a demand of 1,915 MW, resulting in 710 MW affected. For the mid-hour period, UNE estimates an impact of 850 MW.
Regarding renewable generation, the 50 new photovoltaic solar parks produced 4,483 megawatt hours (MWh), with a maximum output of 800 MW during midday hours.
Breakdowns and maintenance in thermoelectric plants
The system is experiencing multiple issues at various thermoelectric plants across the country. Unit 5 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Plant, Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant, Unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant, and Units 5 and 6 of the Antonio Maceo (Renté) Thermoelectric Plant are currently out of service.
Units 6 of the Mariel CTE, unit 5 of the Nuevitas CTE, and unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes CTE in Cienfuegos are undergoing maintenance.
Additionally, there are limitations in thermal generation that keep 420 MW offline.
Forecast for peak hours
For the peak demand period, the UNE anticipates the entry of the Regla barge with 59 MW, five engines at the Moa site with 70 MW, and seven fuel engines in Mariel with 105 MW.
If they manage to meet that scenario, it is estimated that there will be an availability of 1,457 MW against a maximum demand that could range between 3,130 MW and 3,180 MW, according to the figures provided in the statement.
The projected deficit ranges between 1,673 MW and 1,723 MW, which would result in impacts of between 1,703 MW and 1,753 MW during the peak nighttime hours, if the expected conditions persist.
The persistence of high deficit levels confirms the structural fragility of the Cuban electrical system, which continues to rely heavily on aging thermal power plants that frequently break down, while millions of citizens endure long blackouts amid a deep economic crisis.
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