The Cuban regime will plan blackouts lasting more than 72 hours with a new emergency power decree-law

The Cuban regime has established a "special contingency electricity regime," which includes planned outages sustained for more than 72 hours in the event that the National Electric System (SEN) fails to meet the country's electricity demand.

With the publication on Tuesday in the Official Gazette of Decree 110, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel formalizes a sort of "state of exception" that, like the usual "states of alarm, exception, and siege" found in the constitutions of many countries around the world, grants exceptional powers to the authorities to address extraordinary and serious situations.

The new regulatory framework approved by the Cuban regime strengthens measures to control energy consumption amid the ongoing energy crisis affecting the Island, during which there have been total collapses of the National Electric System lasting more than 72 hours, such as the one that occurred on October 18 due to the unexpected shutdown of the Guiteras thermoelectric plant.

Declaration of the electrical contingency

The new decree gives the Minister of Energy and Mines (MINEM) the authority to propose this special regime to the Council of Ministers, which must approve or reject it within 48 hours.

Once approved, the notification will be made within 24 hours to the Central State Administration agencies, provincial governments, and economic stakeholders in the country.

The Electric Union (UNE) will be responsible for informing the public about planned disruptions through mass media.

On their part, the energy councils of each territory will be responsible for defining the activities and services that should be reduced or halted during peak demand hours.

Mandatory measures to reduce electricity consumption

The decree outlines a set of strict measures to reduce electricity consumption during the contingency regime. Among these are:

1. Shutdown of high-consumption equipmentElectric ovens, air conditioning systems, and refrigeration equipment should cease operations during peak hours, unless it impacts stored products.
2. Restriction on the use of public lightingOnly the necessary lighting to ensure road and pedestrian safety will be allowed.
3. Water Pumping ReorganizationIn areas where possible, water pumping for the population will be adjusted to avoid operation during peak nighttime hours.
4. Temperature adjustment in air conditioning systemsThe systems must be maintained at 25 degrees Celsius or higher, unless technical conditions require lower temperatures.
5. Reduction of lightingLighting in facilities will be reduced to 50% of the installed capacity.
6. Turning off electronic devicesThe equipment should be disconnected at the end of the workday.

Fines for non-compliance

The decree also establishes a system of penalties. Non-state economic actors who violate the regulations will be fined 20,000 CUP, while those responsible for state entities will face penalties of 5,000 CUP.

The authorities empowered to oversee compliance include provincial and municipal inspectors, as well as those appointed by the UNE.

Impact and Challenges

These measures come at a time when the island's electric system is facing serious generation limitations, exacerbated by breakdowns, maintenance of power plants, and fuel shortages. The decree aims to regulate electricity consumption but also highlights the severity of the energy crisis in Cuba.

The possibility of planned power outages lasting more than 72 hours raises concerns among Cubans, who are already facing daily electricity cuts. Furthermore, the restrictive measures could impact key sectors such as industrial production and water supply, escalating economic and social tensions.

Reactions and perspectives

Although the authorities justify these measures as necessary to address the crisis, the decree also raises questions about the government's ability to ensure a stable electricity supply in the medium term. The implementation of such a large-scale electrical contingency regime highlights the vulnerability of the National Electric System and could intensify public discontent.

In a country where electricity is essential for daily activities, adjustments to schedules and the disruption of services pose significant challenges for citizens and businesses alike. At the same time, economic sanctions could present an additional blow to non-state actors who are already grappling with a difficult economic landscape.

Decree 110 reflects a stricter energy control policy, but it also highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to the electrical crisis affecting Cuba. Meanwhile, power outages will continue to be a daily reality that shapes life on the Island.