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The Cuban government expects a slight decrease in blackouts for this Thursday, with the lowest recorded electricity deficit in recent weeks. However, the reality for millions of Cubans remains far from improving: power cuts continue to disrupt daily life after consecutive days of uninterrupted energy crisis.
According to the official statement from the Electric Union (UNE), on Wednesday the country experienced power outages throughout the 24-hour period, with a maximum impact of 1,729 MW during the night. Although this figure is lower than the peaks of previous days —when the deficit exceeded 1,900 MW—, it still highlights the system's inability to meet national demand.
On the morning of this Thursday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) barely reached 1,375 MW against a demand of 2,264 MW, leaving over 900 MW uncovered. For the peak nighttime hours, the forecasts do not bring any real relief either: a deficit of 1,555 MW is expected, with impacts that could reach around 1,585 MW.
The decrease in figures does not signify a solution, but rather a minimal respite within a sustained crisis. In recent days, Cubans have faced prolonged blackouts of more than 20 hours in several regions, in a context of structural deterioration of the electrical system, with multiple thermoelectric units out of service or under maintenance.
Among the main current issues are the breakdown of unit 2 at the Felton thermoelectric plant, as well as several units out of service in Mariel, Renté, and Nuevitas. Additionally, there are limitations in thermal generation that leave more than 400 MW offline.
Although the 54 photovoltaic solar parks contributed over 3,600 MWh on the previous day, their impact remains insufficient in light of the system's collapse during nighttime hours when demand reaches its peak.
This slight decrease in the deficit coincides with the arrival in Cuba of the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, the first in almost three months, carrying approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil. The shipment provides temporary relief amid the fuel shortage, but its impact will not be immediate.
The authorities themselves have acknowledged that the unloading of the ship will take at least 96 hours and that the first refined products will not begin to be distributed until the second half of April. Furthermore, experts warn that the volume transported would barely cover national consumption for between a week and ten days.
In the meantime, the population remains trapped in a routine of uncertainty, with unclear electricity service schedules and blackouts impacting everything from food preservation to the operation of hospitals and essential services.
Although the government speaks of a reduction in the deficit, for Cubans, the difference remains imperceptible: electricity continues to be an intermittent luxury in a country where the energy crisis shows no signs of easing.
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