66% of Cuba to be without power simultaneously on Monday due to energy crisis

Cuba is bracing for another day of widespread power outages, with projections indicating that as much as 66% of the island could be disconnected simultaneously during peak demand hours on Monday. This situation highlights the deepening energy crisis that has plagued the nation since mid-2024.

The crisis is attributed to a combination of factors: a fundamentally outdated national energy system and a U.S. oil blockade, which began in January and has been deemed contrary to international law by the United Nations. Daily life for Cubans is severely impacted, with many experiencing over 20 consecutive hours without electricity in Havana and exceeding 48 hours in other parts of the country.

The state-run Unión Eléctrica (UNE), under the Ministry of Energy and Mines, forecasts a generation capacity of 1,150 megawatts (MW) against a maximum demand of 3,250 MW for Monday. This deficit means an estimated 2,130 MW will need to be disconnected to prevent uncontrolled blackouts.

Adding to the strain, eight of the country's sixteen thermoelectric generation units are currently non-operational due to breakdowns or scheduled maintenance. These units, responsible for 40% of Cuba's energy mix, rely on domestic crude oil and are thus unaffected by the U.S. oil blockade. However, many of these thermoelectric plants were built in the 1960s and 1970s and suffer from chronic underinvestment and frequent failures.

Meanwhile, diesel and fuel oil-powered generation, which accounts for another 40% of the energy mix, has been halted due to a lack of imported fuel, a direct consequence of U.S. pressure. The remaining 20% of Cuba's energy comes from gas and renewable sources. In response, the government is investing in solar energy, with a program to build 92 solar parks, though independent studies suggest billions of dollars are needed to revitalize the entire energy system.