Cuba’s Electricity Crisis Deepens: 40% of Island Faces Daily Blackouts
According to the Cuban Electric Union (UNE), Cuba continues to struggle with a worsening electricity crisis that leaves 40% of the island in darkness.
The deficit reached a staggering 1749 megawatts during peak hours last weekend. Havana residents currently endure power cuts of 4-6 hours daily. The situation proves far more dire in provincial areas where blackouts stretch beyond 20 hours per day.
February marked the worst outage in recent years when 57% of Cuban territory lost power simultaneously. Eight of Cuba‘s 20 thermoelectric plants remain offline due to breakdowns and maintenance issues.
Most power plants operate well beyond their intended lifespan, having been in service for over 40 years. The Felton Power Plant and five blocks from Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté power plants currently sit inactive.
Fuel shortages compound these infrastructure problems. The UNE reports 43 distributed generation plants cannot operate due to fuel scarcity. Cuba produces only 3 million tons of the 8 million tons of fuel it needs annually.
The government implements rotating outages in four distinct blocks to manage the crisis. Officials prioritize circuits connected to hospitals and essential services. State employees work reduced hours while authorities urge households to conserve energy.
Cuba’s Energy Crisis and Economic Struggles
Energy specialists estimate Cuba needs $8-10 billion to modernize its electrical system. This figure exceeds what the struggling economy can generate. The crisis adds pressure to a nation already experiencing severe economic contraction.
Cuba’s economy shrank by 1.9% in 2023 and recorded zero growth in 2024. Officials project a modest 1% growth for 2025, though economic activity remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel attributes the crisis to the U.S. embargo, claiming it prevents the acquisition of replacement parts and fuel. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledges the combined impact of aging infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increasing demand.
The country recently initiated a partnership with China to develop solar power projects. Cuba opened the first of 92 planned solar parks last month in an effort to diversify energy sources and reduce dependency on aging thermal plants.
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This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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