Cuba to suffer blackout affecting up to 59% of the island

Cuba is preparing for a major power outage on Saturday that will leave between 57 % and 59 % of the country without electricity during peak evening demand. The state utility Unión Eléctrica (UNE) projects generation capacity of about 1,270‑1,310 MW against a maximum demand of roughly 3,000‑3,050 MW, creating a deficit of around 1,700‑1,800 MW. To avoid uncontrolled failures, the estimated load to be disconnected is about 1,720‑1,810 MW.

The blackout reflects a deepening energy crisis. Decades‑old thermoelectric plants suffer frequent breakdowns, and U.S. oil sanctions have limited fuel imports for diesel‑fuelled generators, which supply another 40 % of the mix. The remaining 20 % comes from gas and renewables, including recent solar expansion with Chinese support. Continuous outages have already reached up to 26 hours per day in Havana, with some regions experiencing two‑day cuts. Cuban officials label the situation “critical,” noting that the energy shortfall worsens an economic downturn projected to contract by 6.5 % in 2026.