Cuba Faces Record Blackouts as 72% of Island Loses Power

Cuba is experiencing its largest simultaneous power outage in modern history, with the state-run National Electric Union (UNE) forecasting that more than 72% of the island will be affected by electricity cuts during peak demand hours, surpassing the previous record of 71% set just days ago.

The government utility expects available generation capacity to reach only 1,000 megawatts against an estimated peak demand of 3,100 megawatts, leaving a shortfall of more than 2,200 megawatts. The severe deficit highlights the growing collapse of Cuba's electricity system amid an ongoing energy crisis.

The crisis has been driven by widespread failures across the country's aging power infrastructure. 

Ten of Cuba's 16 thermal power generation units are currently out of service due to technical faults or scheduled maintenance, while more than 100 distributed generation engines and several floating power plants have been shut down because of acute fuel shortages.

Cuban authorities have described the situation as "serious," "critical," and "extremely tense," as prolonged blackouts continue to disrupt daily life across the island. 

Hospitals, schools, industries, and other essential services have all been affected, adding to the hardships faced by Cubans amid the country's prolonged economic crisis.

Energy experts say the electricity emergency reflects decades of underinvestment in Cuba's power infrastructure, compounded by recurring fuel supply disruptions and limited financial resources to modernize the national grid. 

Analysts argue that resolving the crisis will require significant structural reforms and substantial investment, challenges that remain difficult as the island continues to struggle with deep economic constraints.