Cuba blames U.S. energy blockade for widespread power shortages

President Miguel Díaz‑Canel said that 62 % of Cuba’s territory has experienced electricity blackouts because the island cannot use more than 1,400 MW of installed generation capacity. He attributed the shortfall to a U.S. “energy blockade” that blocks fuel shipments, noting that in the past six months only a single Russian tanker delivered fuel and that private‑sector imports have amounted to just 40,000 tons, far below the island’s needs.

Cuba has increased renewable capacity, adding over 1,000 MW of solar photovoltaic parks that now supply more than half of daytime electricity and account for 10 % of total generation. Meanwhile, a workers’ congress highlighted the broader economic and social impact of the U.S. sanctions, calling for stronger union participation, the implementation of recent labour reforms, and greater resilience against the blockade.