Cuba energy crisis: charcoal prices soar as blackouts force reliance on traditional fuel

A severe energy crisis in Cuba has driven the price of a bag of charcoal to over 4,000 pesos in Sancti Spíritus, more than half the average monthly salary. Prolonged blackouts and a shortage of liquefied gas have forced families to rely on charcoal for cooking, pushing demand and prices up dramatically. The country's power deficit hit a record 2,174 MW in May 2026, with 70% of the territory affected simultaneously. The situation highlights the collapse of Cuba's fossil-fuel-dependent grid after Venezuela and Mexico stopped crude oil shipments. While Cuba exported $61.8 million worth of charcoal in 2023, its own citizens struggle to afford it. The government has acknowledged production shortages and aims for municipal self-sufficiency, but the crisis underscores the urgent need for grid upgrades and renewable energy investment.