Cuba Power Outage: Reliable Off-Grid Power with EcoFlow
The Cuban electric grid is famously unstable and has seen multiple nationwide outages since late 2024. The electrical system is still vulnerable, with outages happening often and for long periods. Scheduled power cuts sustain the grid, but unplanned outages are still unfortunate for residents and visitors alike.
Here’s a helpful guide to ride out frequent Cuban grid losses with help from off-grid power sources like those from EcoFlow.
How Do I Check the Status of My Power Outage in Cuba?
Checking the status of a power outage in Cuba isn’t as straightforward as in other areas. However, there are still ways to stay updated on current outages and their causes by using news outlets, social media, and looking out for government announcements.
1. News Outlets
Unfortunately, there’s no government website or online tool showing where all current outages are in Cuba, their status, and an estimated restoration time. Thankfully, news outlet Cyber Cuba recently created a similar tool for residents to check in with current power failures. The map is created by collecting comments from Facebook about outages and extracting data from the comments about duration and location to help build an accurate database displayed in map format. However, this map can’t be confirmed as correct and is only designed to help understand possible outages.
News outlets like this are likely the best way to check the status of a power loss that you’re experiencing in Cuba. Other news websites may also report outages via news stories.
2. Social Media
Social media may also be an effective way to find the latest information about power outages in Cuba. News outlets may post on their social platforms, or individuals may comment about their loss of power, allowing you to see who else may be impacted by the electricity blackout. Unfortunately, you may be unable to gather important information about how long the outage will last, as these updates likely won’t come from the utility itself.
3. Government Announcements
The Cuban government may also make official announcements about outages if they are particularly widespread, including a nationwide outage, or last for an extended period. These announcements typically come from the President or Prime Minister and may include the cause of the blackout, expected duration, and any emergency measures taken to restore the situation. You can usually catch these announcements on national television or social media platforms.
The Electric Union, the state energy regulation agency, also releases daily reports on the grid's status and any expected outages.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Power Outages in Cuba?
The most common power outage causes in Cuba are its delicate and aging infrastructure, fuel shortage, and planned outages to avoid overloading the grid. They may also be related to economic constraints, such as sanctions from the U.S.
Aging Equipment
Daily peak demand in Cuba is over 3,000 megawatts (MW), but the aging equipment that powers the grid can usually only reliably handle up to 1,600 MW. This shortfall often results in widespread, frequent blackouts, especially during peak demand hours, such as the early evening. Nationwide blackouts sometimes occur, leaving the entire island in the dark.
By reducing your grid use and supplementing with EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, you can lessen the strain on the grid infrastructure while reducing your monthly consumption. Thus, you accrue fewer peak demand charges and lower your overall tariffs.
Fuel Shortages
Cuba has one of the highest percentages of energy derived from liquid fuel globally. Still, it relies on imported fuel, as Cuba’s domestic production is insufficient to meet rising electricity demands. Cuba primarily relies on Venezuela and Mexico to import fuel, but U.S sanctions and embargoes complicate fuel purchases. These sanctions also make it difficult for Cuba to get the supplies it needs to reinforce its grid, making it challenging to avoid outages caused by equipment issues.
Planned Outages
Scheduled outages occur daily to help release the pressure on the Cuban energy grid. These planned outages help manage the significant energy deficit between the country's demands and supply. These outages are usually scheduled during certain daily hours in specific areas, such as places with high demand. Although these blackouts aim to reduce overall unplanned blackouts, surprise outages are still a very real and frequent occurrence.
How To Stay Safe During a Cuban Power Outage
If you’re in Cuba when the power gets cut, follow these steps and tips to stay safe and make it through until power is safely restored.
Stay Informed
First and foremost, try to stay informed. If you’re there as a tourist, talk with your tour guide, hotel concierge, or travel agent to see if they know anything about the outage or when power will be restored. You can also check news outlets, including Cyber Cuba’s live interactive outage map, or the government’s social media platforms for potential updates.
Conserve Resources
As soon as the power goes out, remind yourself of your critical resources that must be conserved. This includes refrigeration—don’t open the freezer or refrigerator unless absolutely necessary, as keeping the doors closed will help maintain the cool temperature and preserve your food until power is restored. It also includes cell phone batteries. If you don’t have a portable charger, turn your phone on low battery mode and avoid using it unless necessary to preserve battery life.
You should also conserve fuel in your vehicle. Gas stations may not be available during outages, so only drive unless it’s critical.
Prepare for Disruptions
This step is more critical before the power loss happens, but it can save you a lot of worry and allow you to ride out the blackout more comfortably. You can prepare for potential disruptions by gathering an emergency kit of essential supplies like flashlights, clean water, and non-perishable food. You can also do some math to see how helpful it would be to supplement the lost power with a backup energy source. Calculate your home’s kWh usage and determine how much you can supplement with other power sources.
Get an Alternative Power Source
If investing in an alternative power source is financially feasible and logistically possible, we recommend getting yourself one to ride out the grid loss in comfort. Portable power stations are great for short outages, but since there’s so much uncertainty associated with Cuba grid cuts, we recommend investing in something with energy generation, like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W). This allows you to create more energy as long as there’s sunshine, which Cuba has plenty of.
Prioritize Safety and Health
Always prioritize the safety and health of yourself and your loved ones. Don’t go near downed power lines, always use flashlights for visibility, stay together if possible, and ensure all medical needs are met. If someone in your party needs refrigerated medication or relies on medical equipment, prioritize the use of any backup power source for these critical supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Report a Power Outage in Cuba?
It’s unclear how to report a power outage in Cuba. You may need to contact your local government office to let them know. However, the best way to prepare is to have an alternative power source on hand so the outage doesn’t disrupt your routine.
Final Thoughts
Being caught in a power outage in Cuba can be disorienting and challenging. Due to the country’s unstable electricity grid and ongoing fuel shortages, it’s best to be prepared for the very real possibility. Stay informed as best you can, ensure your loved ones are safe, and, if possible, utilize an emergency power supply such as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station to keep essential devices and appliances running until electricity is restored.