Cuba Faces Nearly 2,000-Megawatt Power Deficit as Grid Crisis Drags On
The Ministry of Energy and Mines said the National Electric System (SEN) would have just 1,215 megawatts of generation available against projected evening demand of 3,150 megawatts — a shortfall of 1,935 megawatts, with the resulting impact on electricity service estimated at 1,975 megawatts.
Earlier in the day, the gap was already stark: at 6 a.m. Monday, available generation stood at 1,030 megawatts against demand of 2,650 megawatts, leaving 1,590 megawatts of service affected, the ministry reported.
The bleak forecast lands just three days after Cuba's national power grid suffered a complete collapse, plunging millions of residents across the island into darkness.
The Electricity Union said the grid was fully reconnected by Saturday evening, though generation capacity has remained far short of what's needed to meet demand.
The Sept. 18 blackout marked at least the sixth nationwide grid failure reported in Cuba this year, according to international news agencies. Cuban authorities said the collapse originated with problems along transmission lines before cascading into a countrywide disruption.
Even with the grid back online, several generating units remain sidelined by breakdowns and maintenance issues, further constraining the island's electricity output.
Cuba's power woes are far from new: the country's aging electrical infrastructure has long struggled under the weight of fuel shortages, equipment failures and limited generation capacity. The crisis has been compounded by restrictions on fuel supplies and access to spare parts and equipment. Havana has pointed to US measures as a driver of the worsening situation, while Washington has placed the blame on the Cuban government's own economic policies.
Current figures show electricity supply remains well short of demand, with authorities anticipating major disruptions during the hours when consumption peaks.
Cuban officials say efforts to stabilize the grid and rebuild generation capacity are ongoing, but power shortages and scheduled outages continue to affect the island broadly.
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