On March 2, 2026, Cuba is facing one of the most critical days of the year in the National Electric System (SEN), with blackouts that could affect up to 64% of the country during peak hours, according to official data from the Electric Union (UNE).
According to the informative note, the electricity service was affected by a capacity deficit over the previous 24 hours, and the situation has persisted into the early hours of this Monday.
The highest recorded impact on Sunday was 1,679 megawatts (MW) at 7:00 p.m., amidst a growing energy crisis that continues to strike the Cuban population with prolonged power outages.
Deficit close to 2,000 MW during peak hours
At 6:00 a.m., the availability of the National Electrical System (SEN) was 1,185 MW against a demand of 2,170 MW, resulting in an impact of 1,000 MW. For the half-hour period, an impact of 950 MW is estimated.
However, the most complex scenario is anticipated for the peak nighttime hours. The UNE estimates a maximum demand of 3,180 MW with an availability that would remain at 1,185 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,995 MW. If these conditions persist, the impact could increase to 2,025 MW.
These figures imply that more than half of the country could be without electricity during peak consumption times, in a context marked by the obsolescence of the thermoelectric facilities and the lack of structural investments in the sector.
Thermal power plants out of service
Among the main reported incidents are malfunctions in:
- Unit 5 of the Mariel CTE.
- Unit 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz.
- Unit 2 of the Felton CTE.
- Units 5 and 6 of the CTE Antonio Maceo.
They are also under maintenance:
- Unit 6 of the CTE Mariel.
- Unit 5 of CTE Nuevitas.
- Unit 4 of the CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in Cienfuegos.
The limitations in thermal generation amount to 431 MW out of service, which further exacerbates the fragile situation of the system.
Insufficient solar contribution
UNE reported that the 51 new solar photovoltaic parks generated 4,466.31 megawatt-hours (MWh), with a maximum output of 840 MW during peak solar radiation hours.
However, this contribution is insufficient to compensate for the structural deficit of the SEN, especially during night hours when solar generation is not available and the system relies almost exclusively on thermoelectric plants and generator sets.
Havana: more than 13 hours without electricity
The Electric Company of Havana reported that in the capital, the service was interrupted for 13 hours and 33 minutes the day before. The maximum impact was 191 MW at 6:30 p.m.
According to the entity, it was not necessary to implement cuts due to "emergency" and the service was restored due to a deficit at 11:30 p.m. At the time of the report, five blocks (192 MW) were still affected, with an expectation of restoration by morning.
The company warned that the impacts on blocks and circuits due to energy contingencies do not have a fixed schedule and depend on the actual availability of the SEN.
Meanwhile, millions of Cubans continue to face extended power outages that affect food preservation, water pumping, telecommunications, and daily life amid a persistent economic crisis.
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