Cuba's CUPET Faces Energy Crisis Amidst Unfulfilled Promises and...

Qué pasó

Cuban energy officials are promoting the strategy of refining domestic crude oil and developing local technologies to combat the severe energy crisis. However, internal technical explanations reveal significant structural limitations within the system.

This approach is presented as a path to energy sovereignty amidst prolonged blackouts and social unrest.

Dónde y cuándo

The discussion took place during an official broadcast, Mesa Redonda, in late April or early May 2026. Officials from Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET) and the Center for Petroleum Research (CEINPET) participated.

The island has received only one fuel shipment in the last four months, far below the minimum of eight required monthly shipments.

Por qué es importante

This situation highlights Cuba's deep energy crisis and its challenges in achieving energy independence. The reliance on imported inputs for processing national resources contradicts the narrative of self-sufficiency.

The country faces deficits exceeding 2,000 MW, leading to power outages lasting over 20 hours daily in some provinces, causing widespread public discontent and protests.

Qué dicen las partes

Irenaldo Pérez Cardoso, deputy director of CUPET, cited the U.S. "energy blockade" for the fuel scarcity. He acknowledged that the country's primary oil, from Varadero, is heavy and viscous, requiring daily mixing with solvent naphtha. This naphtha is derived from imported crude.

Officials also admitted to financial and technological limitations, making it difficult to import necessary advanced technologies. They emphasized ongoing projects like crude thermoconversion and biogas development as pillars of a "sovereign" energy transition.

Qué viene ahora

Despite the official push for scientific and experimental solutions, the immediate reality is critical. The government continues to invest in these projects while the electrical grid remains strained.

The population faces worsening living conditions, with energy shortages exacerbating issues like water access and general service deterioration. The effectiveness of these long-term strategies remains uncertain in the face of immediate, pressing needs.