What's going on with Cuba's energy crisis?

Havana (EFE).- Cuba has endured 12 months of a full-blown energy crisis marked by blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day, four nationwide power outages, repeated breakdowns at power plants, a paralyzed economy, and growing social frustration. Experts warn that there is little prospect of improvement in the near future.

How is power produced in Cuba?

About 40.6% of Cuba’s power generation is produced in thermal power plants, 21.7% with fuel oil engines, and 21.9% with diesel engines. Almost 8% is produced with the accompanying gas from oil production, 5% comes from renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, and wind), and the remaining 3% is produced by floating units (thermal power barges).

Why are power outages a problem in Cuba?

Power outages have become the top concern for Cubans, who struggle to preserve food, conduct banking or bureaucratic tasks, charge electric motorcycles and phones, and carry out household chores. Many wake up in the early hours of the morning, when electricity briefly returns, to cook, iron, or pump water.

Why are some of Cuba's Sen power plants out of service?

Several of Cuba’s seven thermoelectric plants, the backbone of the SEN, are frequently out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance. These facilities suffer from decades of overuse and chronic underinvestment. At one point, Cuba docked eight floating power plants along its coast as a temporary solution.

How much power does Cuba have in 2023?

In response, Cuba has launched a recovery plan aimed at restoring 489 MW of power by the end of 2023 through upgrades and investments, but the system continues to struggle without sufficient reserve capacity, prolonging blackouts.

Why is Cuba's power system deteriorating?

As POWER has reported, Cuba’s power system has faced increasing strain since 2021, with blackouts becoming more frequent due to accidents at key generation units and aging thermal power plants. Thermal plants are outdated, with most surpassing their 30-year lifespan.