Cuba Faces Extended Blackouts on May 19, 2026, with Predicted...

What Happened

Cuba is experiencing a day marked by severe limitations in its National Electric System (SEN) on May 19, 2026. The forecast predicts a maximum power deficit of up to 1875 MW during the evening peak hours. Although authorities report a slight improvement from previous days, prolonged blackouts continue to affect the population across the island.

The electricity service was disrupted throughout Monday and into Tuesday morning due to insufficient generation capacity, indicating the system’s struggle to meet national demand stably.

Where and When

The disruptions are occurring nationwide on May 19, 2026. The most significant impact is expected during the evening peak hours. For instance, at 6:00 AM on May 19, the SEN had 1150 MW available against a demand of 2700 MW, resulting in a 1550 MW deficit.

Last night, the peak deficit reached 2079 MW, a slight reduction from the previous day's 2119 MW, but still significantly high. The situation persisted through the night and into Tuesday morning.

Why It Matters

These persistent blackouts directly impact the daily lives of Cubans. They disrupt essential services, affect water pumping, compromise food preservation, and hinder general economic activity across the country.

The instability in the electricity supply creates uncertainty and hardship for households and businesses alike, highlighting a critical challenge for the nation's infrastructure.

What Parties Say

The official report from the Unión Eléctrica notes a slight improvement in the forecast for the evening peak. However, the core issues of insufficient generation persist. The report indicates that several thermoelectric plants, including Ernesto Guevara, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Lidio Ramón Pérez, and Antonio Maceo, have units out of service or are undergoing scheduled maintenance.

While thermal limitations have slightly decreased, the system operates under very tight margins. The contribution from solar photovoltaic parks, which generated 3138 MWh with a maximum power of 482 MW on this day, was also lower than the previous day, reducing their stability support.

What Comes Next

For the evening peak on May 19, the SEN forecasts a potential availability of 1355 MW against an estimated demand of 3200 MW, leading to a deficit of 1845 MW and a projected blackout of up to 1875 MW. While this is a slight improvement from earlier forecasts, the scenario remains complex.

The public must continue to monitor the official updates from the Unión Eléctrica for the latest information on the power situation and its potential ongoing impact.