The Electric Union acknowledged that between September and December several thermoelectric units may be undergoing maintenance or experiencing breakdowns, a scenario that could worsen the blackouts in Cuba despite the seasonal reduction in demand that the company anticipates.
In a post made this Tuesday, UNE explained that during the next four months, it will carry out maintenance activities on several blocks of the National Electric System (SEN) and warned that "there may be a coincidence of several machines under maintenance or malfunction" due to pending work and accumulated technical problems.
The company did not literally state that power outages will intensify, but it acknowledged a scenario of reduced thermal generation capacity while those interventions take place.
The UNE hopes to partially offset this situation with a decrease in electrical demand associated with the winter period, an improvement that the Government continues to attribute to natural and seasonal factors due to its inability to ensure a sustained recovery of generation.
According to the state-owned company, this reduction in consumption will allow for a greater "operational window" to carry out maintenance and correct defects in the units.
It was also announced that preparatory work will continue for the capital maintenance of the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant and to restore another block that is currently out of service.
The UNE once again attributed some of the problems in repairing the plants to the tightening of sanctions by the United States, stating that financial restrictions have made it difficult to purchase parts, components, and materials.
The company itself admitted, however, that the lack of resources "has caused certain breakdowns and defects that should have been permanently resolved to remain pending or to recur."
The announcement sparked strong reactions among Cubans who are already enduring prolonged power outages, especially because the company offers not even the slightest hope of improvement.
The designer Darel Rochiel Robinson, residing in Havana, summed up his reaction this Wednesday with a question: "If the UNE says that power outages could intensify from September to December, then what the hell are we living through? A trailer?"
The official publication from the UNE also received numerous critical comments.
"Tremendous tongue twister to say that things will continue the same or worse," wrote a person.
Another summarized: "Well... we'll continue with surprises," while a third comment joked: "Hold on tight, there are twists coming...".
Others questioned whether the authorities are presenting the months of lower demand as an opportunity to repair the thermoelectric plants after years of deterioration.
"In summary, we will continue to experience the same blackouts in winter, a great encouraging news for a people that has been suffering for years," noted a user.
To mention just one example, the case of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant reflects much of the deterioration and the accumulated problems affecting thermal generation in Cuba.
The main generation unit of the country remained operational during the summer despite needing extensive repairs, out of fear that its shutdown would further worsen the deficit of the SEN.
Plant executives have acknowledged that it requires major maintenance of at least 180 days and that the last intervention of this scope took place in 2010.
The Guiteras has also experienced recurring breakdowns throughout 2026. At the end of June, it was preparing for its 16th departure from the SEN this year, while accumulating partial repairs without being able to carry out the comprehensive intervention it requires.
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