LatinNews Daily - 13 June 2024

*The Cuban state power company, Unión Eléctrica (UNE), has announced further planned power outages due to shortfalls in electricity generation at several power plants. UNE expects a 680 megawatts (MW) deficit today (13 June), predicting a maximum generation capacity of 2,320 MW and a maximum demand of 3,000 MW. Scheduled power cuts have been planned to prevent unplanned blackouts, freeing up 750 MW of power capacity. Cuba’s national electrical system is in a precarious state due to breakdowns in its ageing thermal power plants. The problem is compounded by shortages of fuel for generators. The power outages severely impact Cuba’s economic performance, which has been struggling with a severe crisis marked by shortages of essential goods such as food, fuel, and medicines, along with soaring inflation. Increasing fuel shipments from Mexico may provide some relief.