Cuba is facing a severe electricity crisis, with a reported availability of only 1,000 megawatts (MW) against a demand of 2,223 MW as of 6:00 a.m. Local time. This represents a deficit of 1,266 MW, which the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reports could escalate to 2,000 MW during peak hours, potentially leaving 63% of the country without power.
Power Plant Failure Triggers Outages
The immediate cause of the crisis was an “unexpected” failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas – the country’s largest – on Wednesday at 12:41 p.m. Local time, attributed to a “salidero en la caldera” (failure in the boiler). This failure disconnected the National Electric System (SEN) from Camagüey to Pinar del Río, including Havana.
Between 6 and 7 million Cubans in 10 of the country’s 15 provinces are affected. Just 2.5% of customers in the capital city had service restored three hours after the initial collapse.
Widespread Disruptions and Growing Concerns
By Friday at 7:10 p.m., the deficit had risen to 2,046 MW, with only 1,015 MW available against a demand of 3,050 MW. Havana experienced continuous blackouts lasting up to 24 hours, impacting 335 MW, with an additional 105 MW in emergency situations. Repairs to the Antonio Guiteras plant are estimated to accept at least 72 hours, according to a Radio Rebelde report.
This latest crisis follows a pattern of increasing energy instability. On Monday, the deficit reached 2,025 MW during peak hours, affecting 64% of the country – the highest level since 2022. Daily power cuts, even without failures, had already exceeded 20 hours in many regions before this week’s collapse.
Fuel Shortages and International Factors
Underlying these immediate failures are structural issues, exacerbated by a collapse in fuel supplies. Seven of the country’s 16 operating thermoelectric plants are currently offline due to breakdowns or maintenance. Generation relying on diesel and fuel oil – representing 40% of Cuba’s energy mix – has been paralyzed since January due to a lack of fuel.
The supply of petroleum was significantly reduced following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which led to Venezuela halting its historical shipments of over 26,000 barrels per day. Further complicating the situation, a Trump administration executive order on January 29th declared Cuba a “threat” to U.S. National security, prompting Mexico to also pause its shipments. Since January 9th, only one tanker has docked in Cuba, delivering 84,000 barrels – less than 3,000 barrels per day – while the country needs 110,000 and produces only 40,000 internally.
The outages have sparked public discontent, with reports of protests and “cacerolazos” (pot-banging protests) in Havana and Matanzas, reflecting growing frustration over prolonged power cuts lasting 15 to 20 hours daily.
Long-Term Recovery Challenges
Jorge Piñón, of the University of Texas’s Energy Institute, previously warned of a “grave crisis” in March without external petroleum supplies. He estimates that Cuba could reach “hora cero” – the complete exhaustion of fuel reserves – by mid-March if new tankers do not arrive. Piñón calculates that restoring Cuba’s electrical system would require between $8 billion and $10 billion, and 3 to 5 years of work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the current power outages?
The immediate cause was the unexpected failure of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas due to a “salidero en la caldera.”
How many people are affected by the outages?
Between 6 and 7 million Cubans in 10 of the country’s 15 provinces are without electricity.
What is the estimated timeframe for repairs to the Antonio Guiteras plant?
Repairs to the plant could take at least 72 hours, according to a report from Radio Rebelde.
As Cuba grapples with this escalating energy crisis, what steps might be necessary to address both the immediate needs of its citizens and the long-term vulnerabilities of its power infrastructure?
