Cuba Faces Widespread Blackouts as Energy Crisis Deepens

Havana is bracing for widespread blackouts on Saturday, as the state-run National Electric System (SEN) anticipates leaving 69% of Cuba without power during peak demand hours. This marks the latest blow in a deepening energy crisis that has plagued the island since mid-2024 and intensified since January due to U.S. oil sanctions.

The SEN's situation is described as "critical," with the country experiencing seven general blackouts already this year. The state utility, Unión Eléctrica (UNE), reports that seven of its 16 thermoelectric units are currently inoperable. These aging plants, many built in the 1960s and 70s, are plagued by breakdowns due to chronic underfunding and a lack of maintenance.

Compounding the issue, U.S. sanctions have crippled the generation of electricity from diesel and fuel oil, which previously accounted for 40% of the energy mix. This sector was already struggling with the government's inability to secure foreign currency for fuel imports. The remaining 20% of the energy mix comes from gas and renewable sources, with solar power receiving Chinese support.

The escalating power outages have fueled social discontent, leading to peaceful protests, pot-banging demonstrations, and garbage fires in Havana neighborhoods. The economic repercussions are severe, with the national economy expected to contract by at least 6.5% this year, following a cumulative decline of over 15% in the preceding five years. Independent experts estimate that a complete overhaul of the SEN would require between $8 billion and $10 billion, a sum far beyond Cuba's current economic capacity.