Simultaneous blackouts will affect up to 46% of Cuba this Sunday

Havana.- Cuba will add another day of prolonged blackouts this Sunday based on the forecast of simultaneous cuts in up to 46% of the country during “peak hours”, the time of maximum energy demand, according to data from the state-owned company Unión Eléctrica (UNE). Cuba has been suffering a severe energy crisis since mid-2024, exacerbated since the beginning of the year by the US oil siege, a measure that caused an almost total standstill of its economy and fueled social discontent, which was described by the United Nations as contrary to international law. According to data from the Electric Union, attached to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, for peak hours in the afternoon and night, a generation capacity of 1,760 megawatts is estimated against a demand of 3,200 megawatts. This would cause a deficit of 1,440 megawatts and an estimated impact of 1,470 megawatts, a figure corresponding to the scheduled cuts to avoid disorderly service interruptions.

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The state-owned company indicated that during the previous day the electrical system presented affectations for 24 hours, a situation that also extended during the early morning. The Cuban energy crisis has worsened since mid-2024 and, according to the authorities, intensified this year due to oil restrictions imposed by the United States, measures that have seriously impacted the island’s economy and increased social unrest. Currently, five of the country’s 16 thermoelectric units remain out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance work. These plants generate about 40% of the national energy using Cuban crude. Another 40% of the generation depends on engines that operate with imported diesel and fuel oil. However, the lack of fuel forced the partial halt of these operations since January, although some units recently resumed activities after the arrival of a shipment of oil from Russia.

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The Cuban government warned that Russian fuel reserves could run out by the end of April and acknowledged that there is no immediate arrival of another tanker planned, which could worsen the energy situation again. The remaining 20% of the Cuban energy matrix comes from gas and renewable sources, especially solar projects driven with support from China. Specialists point out that the Cuban electrical system is facing a serious deterioration due to years of lack of investment, while the Government attributes part of the crisis to US sanctions, which it describes as an “energy asphyxiation”. Independent studies estimate that Cuba would need between 8,000 and 10,000 million dollars to fully recover and modernize its energy system.