Cuba Faces Over 1,500MW Power Deficit Amid Widespread Blackouts

Cuba is facing a severe and ongoing electrical crisis characterized by massive power outages and a significant generation deficit exceeding 1,400 megawatts amid rising demand as summer approaches. The National Electric System (SEN) struggles to meet peak demands, with frequent breakdowns and maintenance of key thermal power plants and critical fuel shortages severely limiting distributed generation. Despite the introduction of new photovoltaic solar parks, renewable energy contributions remain insufficient to offset the collapse of thermal units and fuel-related shutdowns. In Havana, scheduled blackouts averaging several hours have become a daily reality, exacerbating public distress and economic challenges, as the capital experiences shorter but still impactful outages compared to rural areas. The crisis is compounded by structural deficiencies in Cuba’s energy infrastructure, ongoing fuel scarcity, and external pressures such as tightened U.S. sanctions, further undermining the grid’s reliability and the population’s quality of life. Authorities continue implementing rotating block outages in Havana and other areas to manage the persistent shortfall while the outlook remains bleak without material improvement in capacity or fuel availability.