Cuba producing only half the power it needs

Havana,

Cuba is generating only about half of the electricity required to meet national demand, according to official data analysed by AFP, as the island nation struggles through its most severe economic and energy crisis in decades.

The shortfall comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off Cuba from key oil supplies, a move that could further strain the country’s fragile power system. The data show that during peak hours, Cuba’s electricity demand stands at roughly 3,300 megawatts, yet production has fallen far short of that level.

Between January 1 and December 31 last year, the country experienced an average electricity deficit of nearly 50 per cent, a situation that has continued into the opening weeks of 2026. As a result, millions of Cubans face daily power outages that can last up to 20 hours, severely disrupting daily life and economic activity.

The energy crisis is part of a broader economic collapse that has led to shortages of food, medicine and fuel, prompting a large-scale migration of Cubans in search of better living conditions. The government has blamed the situation on tighter US sanctions, while analysts also cite years of poor economic management and the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which crippled tourism — a vital source of foreign currency.

A shortage of hard currency has left the Cuban state unable to import enough fuel to keep its ageing power plants running. Although the government has invested in renewable energy, progress has been limited. Around 40 solar power plants financed with Chinese support have been installed, and solar energy output increased sharply in 2025, rising from around 300 to 400 megawatt hours in March to more than 3,000 megawatt hours by December.

However, solar power can only be generated during daylight hours, while electricity demand in Cuba peaks at night, limiting the impact of these projects on the overall energy shortfall.

The situation could deteriorate further if Washington follows through on threats to halt all oil and financial flows to Cuba, particularly if Venezuela—Cuba’s long-time ally—is also affected. Since 2000, Venezuela has supplied Cuba with heavily subsidised oil, but deliveries have dropped sharply over the past decade as Venezuela’s own economy has deteriorated.

Cuba’s power generation has also been undermined by the poor condition of its electricity infrastructure. Many of the country’s power plants are decades old and prone to breakdowns. While the Cuban government says a six-decade-long US embargo has made it difficult to obtain parts and financing for repairs, economists argue that long-standing underinvestment in the energy sector has also played a major role.

With no immediate solution in sight, the energy crisis continues to weigh heavily on the Cuban population, deepening economic hardship and fuelling uncertainty about the island’s future.