- Cuba faces a 1,600 MW energy deficit, causing widespread blackouts and economic disruptions.
- Efforts to address the crisis through solar energy have fallen short, with the country still relying heavily on outdated thermal plants.
- The government’s failure to invest in infrastructure and maintain power plants exacerbates the crisis, leading to growing public disillusionment.
Cuba faces a deepening energy deficit, with a capacity deficit exceeding 1,600 megawatts (MW). The shortfall has caused severe blackouts across the island. The National Electric System (SEN) struggles to meet rising demand, reflecting a total collapse of the power infrastructure.
The latest report, released on April 9, highlights the ongoing crisis. On April 8, at 7:40 p.m., the peak deficit reached 1,631 MW. This figure coincided with peak demand, underscoring the severity of the situation.
To address the crisis, the Cuban government has turned to renewable energy sources, particularly solar parks. However, these efforts have proven insufficient. According to the report, solar parks generated only 803 MWh, far below the needed amount. Cuba continues to rely heavily on thermal generation for most of its energy.
On April 9 at 7:00 a.m., energy availability stood at 1,860 MW, while demand reached 2,520 MW, resulting in a 692 MW deficit. By noon, the shortfall is expected to rise to 950 MW. Even with the commissioning of Unit 8 at the Mariel CTE, which would add 70 MW, the situation remains dire. During peak hours, the deficit could exceed 1,470 MW, leading to blackouts of up to 1,540 MW.
The crisis worsens due to frequent breakdowns and maintenance at key thermal plants. Two units at the Mariel and Felton plants remain out of service. Additionally, four units at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté plants undergo maintenance. Another 60 distributed generation plants, which provide 345 MW, sit idle due to fuel shortages. Furthermore, 208 MW remain unavailable due to a lack of lubricants, highlighting broader infrastructure issues.
The Electric Company has scheduled outages in Havana. Block 2 will face power cuts from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Block 1 will experience outages from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by Block 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Block 4 will suffer outages from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The situation reflects a broader failure in the Cuban energy sector. The government has failed to invest in power infrastructure, leaving the country vulnerable. Many of the nation’s power plants remain outdated and poorly maintained. The Cuban government struggles to implement practical solutions and relies heavily on ageing technologies.
Cuba’s energy sector suffers from inefficiency and mismanagement. The government focuses mainly on short-term fixes, such as solar power, rather than long-term solutions that diversify energy sources and improve efficiency. As a result, the country remains dependent on thermal power generation, which no longer meets demand.
The energy deficit has serious consequences for the Cuban population. Frequent blackouts disrupt daily life, causing widespread discomfort. Economic activities have stalled, and the quality of life has deteriorated. The electricity shortage has become a constant source of frustration for millions of Cubans.
The government’s failure to address these issues has led to growing disillusionment among the population. Despite promises of improvement, little progress has occurred. The energy crisis has become one of the country’s most pressing challenges. Cuba may face prolonged power outages and an uncertain future without urgent action.