Cuba to face widespread blackouts affecting up to 68% of island

Cuba is bracing for extensive power outages on Saturday, with up to 68% of the island expected to experience blackouts during the crucial evening consumption period. State utility Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reports that the nation is grappling with a profound energy crisis that has intensified since January, largely due to what it describes as a U.S. oil blockade.

The UNE, under the Ministry of Energy and Mines, anticipates a generation capacity of only 1,090 megawatts for the "peak" period, falling far short of the maximum demand of 3,300 megawatts. This deficit is projected to result in 2,240 megawatts being disconnected to prevent unmanaged blackouts.

Adding to the crisis, seven of the country's sixteen thermoelectric generation units are currently non-operational, either due to breakdowns or scheduled maintenance. These plants, responsible for 40% of Cuba's power generation, suffer from decades of obsolescence and a chronic lack of investment. Another 40% of the energy mix comes from distributed generation, primarily diesel and fuel oil engines, which are largely paralyzed by the oil blockade. The remaining 20% is derived from gas and renewable sources, notably solar power with Chinese assistance.