For several months, Cuba has been grappling with a severe energy crisis, but the past 30 days have been particularly marked by frequent and widespread power outages. These blackouts, sometimes affecting more than 50% of the country simultaneously, have worsened the daily struggles of the island's 10 million inhabitants. In this article, we will explore recent statistics, analyze the root causes of these outages, and shed light on the energy challenges facing Cuba in February 2025.
Power Outages Over the Last 30 Days: A Troubling Situation
Over the past 30 days, Cuba has recorded historic levels of energy deficits. Here are the key highlights, based on recent web publications and posts on X (formerly Twitter):
57% of the country without electricity at once: According to several posts on X dated February 12 and 13, 2025, the electricity generation deficit reached a peak, with 57% of Cuba's territory plunged into darkness during peak hours (evening). This represents an unprecedented situation in recent years.
Critical generation deficit: The electricity production shortfall reached approximately 1,900 MW during peak demand, while the total available capacity was 1,490 MW for an estimated demand of 3,290 MW (posts on X, February 12, 2025).
Thermal power plants offline: The Antonio Guiteras plant, the country's largest, was out of service multiple times in February due to technical failures. This situation, combined with the shutdown of other major thermal plants, has worsened the deficit (post on X, February 2, 2025).
Frequency of outages: In some regions, access to electricity is limited to just 4 hours per day, making daily life extremely challenging for residents.
These figures, though incomplete, reflect a severe energy crisis, amplified by structural and situational factors.
Cuba's Energy Challenges: Why So Many Outages?
The current energy crisis can be explained by several factors, which combine to create a critical situation:
Aging Infrastructure:
Cuba relies primarily on eight aging thermal power plants, often out of service or undergoing maintenance. The Antonio Guiteras plant, though essential, is frequently offline due to technical issues.
Floating power plants leased from foreign companies (Turkish or Russian) and backup generators are insufficient to bridge the gap, especially during peak demand.
Fuel Shortages:
The reduction in oil imports from Venezuela, Cuba's main ally, has worsened the situation. These imports have declined over the past two years, leaving the island vulnerable.
U.S. sanctions, in place since 1962 and tightened under certain administrations, complicate the purchase of fuel and spare parts for power plants.
Global Economic Crisis:
Cuba is experiencing its worst economic crisis in 30 years, with shortages of food, medicine, and rampant inflation. This limits investments in the energy sector.
The fiscal deficit (22% of GDP) and low economic productivity prevent the government from modernizing its infrastructure.
Climatic and Unexpected Factors:
While the past 30 days have not been marked by major hurricanes, natural disasters from previous months (such as Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael in October-November 2024) damaged the electrical grid, making its restoration more complex.
Heatwaves increase electricity demand, particularly for air conditioning, putting additional pressure on an already fragile system.
The Consequences for Cubans
Power outages have significant repercussions on daily life:
Education and Healthcare: Schools and hospitals operate under limited conditions, impacting medical care and access to education.
Local Economy: Small businesses, particularly in tourism and hospitality, suffer significant losses due to frequent outages.
Social Frustration: The blackouts fuel growing discontent, with sporadic protests in some cities, though these are often suppressed by authorities.
Toward a Way Out of the Crisis?
In response to this situation, the Cuban government has announced several emergency measures, but their effectiveness remains uncertain:
Reducing Consumption: Implementing scheduled outages and urging the population to save energy.
Investing in Renewable Energy: Cuba aims to generate 37% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, but progress is slow due to financial constraints.
International Cooperation: The country is seeking to strengthen partnerships with nations like Russia and China to secure fuel supplies and investments in the energy sector.
Conclusion: A Crisis Demanding Long-Term Solutions
The past 30 days have highlighted the fragility of Cuba's electrical system, exacerbated by years of underinvestment and economic challenges. While emergency measures are necessary to mitigate immediate impacts, long-term solutions – such as modernizing infrastructure and transitioning to renewable energy – are essential to ensure a stable energy future. In the meantime, Cubans continue to face daily challenges in a context where electricity, a basic necessity, is increasingly scarce.