Cuba is once again nearing a 2,000 MW energy deficit: blackouts worsen amid pressure from the U.S.

Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) will once again register high levels of generation deficit on February 19, affecting 61% of the country throughout the 24-hour period, according to the Electric Union (UNE).

At 6:00 a.m. this Thursday, the availability of the SEN was only 1,100 MW against a demand of 2,135 MW, which resulted in 1,055 MW affected.

For the midday schedule, a similar impact was estimated, around 1,100 MW, reported UNE on . These figures translate to power outages of up to 20 hours daily in several areas of the island.

Among the main incidents are breakdowns in units 1 and 2 of the Santa Cruz power plant, unit 2 of the Felton plant, and units 5 and 6 of the Antonio Maceo plant. Additionally, unit 6 of Mariel, unit 5 of Nuevitas, and unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant in Cienfuegos are undergoing maintenance.

The crisis was also evident on Wednesday, with a maximum impact of 1,853 megawatts (MW) at 7:10 p.m., a figure higher than planned due to the unexpected shutdown of unit 3 at the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant.

This is compounded by limitations in thermal generation that keep an additional 410 MW offline.

For the peak night hours, the addition of 112 MW at the Mariel fuel site and 45 MW at the Regla dock is anticipated. However, even with these contributions, an availability of 1,287 MW is estimated against a projected maximum demand of 3,200 MW, which would imply a deficit of 1,913 MW and an impact close to 1,943 MW.

Photovoltaic generation contributed 4,707 MWh on the previous day, with a peak output of 810 MW at noon, but these levels are insufficient to offset the loss of thermal units and the high demand during nighttime hours.

The worsening of power outages occurs in the context of strong external economic pressure and restrictions on fuel supply, factors that have deepened the island's energy crisis.

While the government insists on the gradual recovery of the system through investments in solar energy and scheduled maintenance, the daily reality for millions of Cubans continues to be marked by prolonged power outages, disruptions in water supply, interruptions in basic services, and growing social discontent.

With a deficit that is nearing 2,000 MW during peak consumption hours, the country is facing another critical day amid one of the worst electricity crises in recent years.