Cuba's electricity grid collapses, widespread outages and protests

The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas has suffered its sixteenth shutdown of the year, with a failure in its aging economizer forcing a controlled disconnection and leaving the national system short of more than 2,000 megawatts. Repeated repairs have not stabilized the unit, which began operating in 1988 and has not received major maintenance since 2010.

Island‑wide, the power shortage has led to prolonged blackouts. The state utility UNE warned that the upcoming peak demand could leave up to 64 % of the country without electricity, citing a supply‑demand gap of roughly 2,000 MW. Residents in Havana’s Atarés neighborhood blocked a street after five days with only two hours of power per day, joining other protests in several municipalities over the chronic outages, water scarcity and food shortages.

The crisis is attributed to decades of under‑investment, outdated thermal plants and the impact of the U.S. oil embargo that has reduced fuel supplies. Government officials acknowledge the “critical” state of the national electric system, while citizens demand restoration of reliable service.