Cuba has experienced its fourth major blackout in the last six months, affecting a large part of the country, including Havana.
The disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN), which occurred on the night of last Friday, left thousands of homes without electricity and provided new images of what life is like during the energy crisis on the island.
The Cuban authorities attributed the interruption to a failure at the Diezmero substation, located on the outskirts of Havana, which caused a significant loss of generation in the western part of the country, resulting in the collapse of the national electrical system (SEN).
In light of this event, the governor of Havana, Yanet Hernández Pérez, shared a message accompanied by several images showing dozens of Cubans gathered in the streets and entryways of buildings, trying to charge their cell phones.
"When times test us, Cubans always respond with solidarity. These images reflect our essence: a people in mutual support, even in the most challenging moments. Together, we are stronger," wrote the governor.
In this context, and in an act of total cynicism, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel thanked the Cubans for their "understanding" following the collapse of the SEN which has left several provinces with more than 48 hours of blackout.
"Thank you, Cuba, for your understanding during the hours of uncertainty and discomfort due to the disconnection from the SEN. And thanks to the workers and executives of the Electric Union who faced it without a moment of rest. We are still in deficit, but we are connected now," he wrote on his X account.
His words were met with skepticism and anger, with users labeling them as a mockery of those suffering from blackouts while the government elites enjoy guaranteed electricity.
On his part, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz attempted to calm the situation with another empty message: "My gratitude to our people for their trust that we will overcome, despite the complex times we are experiencing. A recognition of the team from Cuba's Electric Union, which worked tirelessly to restore the SEN."
However, his statement only fueled the criticism, as power outages have been recurrent for months and the electrical crisis shows no signs of improvement.
The Electric Union confirmed that on Sunday, March 16, the outage lasted for 24 continuous hours, and the crisis has worsened due to the failure of multiple generation units. Currently, unit 1 of the Habana CTE, unit 6 of the Renté CTE, and unit 2 of the Felton CTE are out of service.
Moreover, other units are under maintenance, such as CTE Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté. Additionally, there are limitations in thermal generation amounting to 481 MW and a lack of fuel that keeps 40 distributed generation plants out of service, affecting another 158 MW.
While the government continues to appeal for the patience and resilience of the population, the reality is that Cuba's energy infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. The lack of investment, corruption, and poor management have made power outages a part of daily life for Cubans, who find it increasingly difficult to believe in the empty promises of the regime.
Far from providing real solutions, the authorities continue to repeat tired speeches about resistance and unity, while the people face increasingly unbearable problems. The question many are asking is: how much longer can they endure it?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why do blackouts occur in Cuba?
The blackouts in Cuba are primarily caused by failures in the National Electric System (SEN), which is in a critical state due to a lack of investment, maintenance, and the shutdown of key electricity generation units. The outdated electrical infrastructure and the lack of fuel are aggravating factors.
How does the energy crisis affect Cubans in their daily lives?
The energy crisis deeply affects daily life in Cuba, as prolonged blackouts interrupt access to basic services such as drinking water, food refrigeration, and electricity for charging electronic devices. This has a negative impact on the quality of life and increases social frustration.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to implement "microsystems" to mitigate the lack of energy and has expressed gratitude for the patience of the population, but it has not presented concrete or effective solutions to resolve the crisis sustainably. The promises of improvement have been insufficient in light of the severity of the situation.
What reactions has the energy crisis generated among the Cuban population?
The Cuban population has reacted with skepticism and anger towards the government’s handling of the energy crisis. Official statements, perceived as empty and lacking real solutions, have faced strong criticism on social media. Many citizens are demanding changes in leadership and substantial improvements in the electrical infrastructure.
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