While the country suffers from endless blackouts lasting over 20 hours in some areas, state journalists justify the power cuts by citing an increase in energy consumption.
The Matanzas reporter José Miguel Solís posted on his Facebook wall a chart of consumption in the province of Villa Clara to explain that if this increases, the deficit grows at a faster rate.
"The two curves that concern Cuba: while electricity consumption (blue) continues to rise, the deficit (red) is growing even faster. Yesterday we reached the second worst historical record (1,880 MW)," justified the state journalist.
Hundreds of internet users engaged in an analysis of the report presented by Solís, questioning whether there might be an error in the calculation, as they pointed out an increase in consumption that does not align with the megawatts supplied by the National Electric System (SEN).
"But if we don't have electricity, where does that consumption come from?" questioned one person, while another replied that the spikes occur after a blackout.
"The problem is that there is no power, so there is also no possibility for consumption to increase, that is what we've been wondering for a while now, what is really happening," stated another Cuban.
Another internet user referred to the figure as an assumption, stating: "How can they calculate a week of 3,600 MW for the country when it has been more than 8 months since they have been able to provide even 1,800 MW on any day? Anything above those 1,800 MW is just speculation and probability calculations."
The National Electric System reported a generation deficit of 1,880 MW on the eve of this Sunday, according to data released on social media by the Electric Union (UNE).
The value, recorded at 9:00 PM, becomes the second largest blackout in the recent energy history of the country and exceeded the forecast by the state company under the control of the Cuban regime by 110 MW.
During the night peak, with a projected demand of 3,500 MW and no new units expected to come online, an impact of up to 1,750 MW is anticipated, putting the country once again on the brink of an energy collapse.
Official data reports a loss of 837 MW solely in distributed generation, with 93 power plants out of service due to a lack of fuel and an additional 92 MW lost due to a lack of oil in engines. Furthermore, there are five thermal units unavailable due to maintenance or breakdowns, including Mariel, Felton, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté.
In a historical analysis of blackouts, the official journalist José Miguel Solís showed that this Saturday's blackout was only surpassed by the 1,901 MW recorded on April 23rd.
Of the 12 largest deficits reported in recent history, five occurred in April 2025 and three in June, confirming a rising pattern of systematic collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Blackout Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of power outages in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is the deficit in electric generation, which exceeds expected levels due to a shortage of fuel, the deterioration of generation plants, and a lack of investment in energy infrastructure. This is exacerbated by prolonged maintenance and breakdowns in thermal units.
Why is electricity consumption in Cuba continuing to rise despite power outages?
The increase in electricity consumption in Cuba, despite the blackouts, is mainly due to consumption spikes that occur immediately after power outages. Additionally, there are doubts about the accuracy of the official figures reported by the Electric Union (UNE), which generates skepticism among the population.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has bet on solar energy as a solution to the energy crisis, with the creation of new photovoltaic solar parks. However, these advancements are insufficient to compensate for the paralysis of the thermoelectric plants, which have gone years without receiving significant investments, limiting the efficiency of solar generation.
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