Cuba Suffers Severe Power Deficit, Exceeding 2000 MW in Peak...

What Happened

Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) is grappling with a severe operational crisis as of June 15, 2026. The system's availability is significantly lower than demand, with projections indicating a deficit that could surpass 2000 megawatts during peak hours. This situation has led to prolonged and widespread power outages across the island.

The previous day saw continuous disruptions, extending into the early hours of Monday with no substantial improvements in generation capacity. The most critical moment occurred at 9:50 PM, when the deficit reached 1882 MW, highlighting the severe imbalance between energy supply and demand.

Where and When

The crisis is national, impacting all of Cuba. Specifically, early Monday morning reported a national demand of 2620 MW against a meager availability of 995 MW, resulting in an immediate deficit of 1630 MW. This stark contrast underscores the fragility of the electrical grid.

Projections for the intermediate hours of the day are also concerning, with an estimated deficit of around 1600 MW. This continues to strain distributed generation and enforce rolling blackouts across various provinces.

Why It Matters

This persistent energy deficit significantly impacts daily life for Cubans, affecting homes, businesses, and essential services. The inability to meet basic energy needs hampers economic activity and public well-being.

The structural weakness of the SEN means the country is operating far below its essential requirements. The continuous outages disrupt productivity and create uncertainty for citizens trying to manage their daily routines.

What the Parties Say

The National Electric Union (UNE) reported the technical issues. Several thermoelectric power plant units are out of service, including units at CTE Máximo Gómez, CTE Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, CTE Antonio Guiteras, Lidio Ramón Pérez, and Antonio Maceo.

Further compounding the problem are units undergoing scheduled maintenance in Mariel, Renté, and Nuevitas, reducing operational capacity. Fuel shortages are also a major factor, with over a hundred distributed generation plants offline, accounting for approximately 890 MW of unavailable power. Several floating and fuel-oil plants are also down, adding over 1200 MW to the total deficit.

While 54 photovoltaic solar parks contributed 3070 MWh in the last 24 hours, their maximum output of 489 MW is insufficient to offset the decline in thermal generation.

What Comes Next

The outlook for the peak hours remains critical. With an estimated demand of 3050 MW and an availability of only 995 MW, the deficit could reach 2055 MW. Forecasts suggest potential disruptions of up to 2085 MW if current conditions persist.

The country must find urgent solutions to repair the damaged thermoelectric units and secure necessary fuel supplies to alleviate the ongoing crisis and stabilize the national electric system.