Cuba's worst blackout to cut power to 64% of country simultaneously

Cuba is grappling with its most severe energy crisis in years, with rolling blackouts expected to impact up to 64% of the country simultaneously during peak demand hours. The state-run National Electric System (SEN) faces a generation deficit of nearly 2,000 megawatts, forcing widespread power cuts.

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The situation of the National Electric System (SEN) is 'critical,' according to the Cuban government itself, with only four consecutive hours of electricity per day in Havana, while on the rest of the island, blackouts reach two consecutive days.

The crisis, ongoing since mid-2024, has worsened since January due to U.S. oil sanctions, which the Cuban government has labeled "genocidal." These sanctions have halted the import of essential fuels like diesel and fuel oil, which power nearly 80% of the island's energy mix. The remaining 20% comes from gas and renewables.

Compounding the issue is the aging infrastructure of Cuba's thermoelectric power plants. Decades of operation without adequate investment have led to frequent breakdowns, with seven out of 16 units currently offline. The government estimates that $8 billion to $10 billion is needed to overhaul the energy system.

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The pressure from the U.S. has indeed forced the shutdown of generation engines due to a lack of raw material, a source of energy that requires imported diesel and fuel oil, responsible for another 40% of the energy mix.

In a potential step toward energy independence, Cuba recently announced a pilot program successfully refining 20,000 tons of national crude oil, producing valuable byproducts. This initiative could offer a domestic alternative to imported fuels, though the country still requires about 100,000 barrels of oil daily, with only 40,000 produced domestically.

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This could be a significant step for Cuba in its search for endogenous alternatives in the face of the U.S. oil blockade.