Decree 110/2024: An Analysis of Its Impact on the Cuban Population Beyond Economic Actors

Although it is aimed at "economic actors," the inclusion of a "special electric contingency regime" in the regulation impacts the population and heralds the normalization of planned blackouts.

Apagón (Imagen de referencia) © Captura de video de YouTube
Blackout (Reference image)Photo © YouTube video capture

The publication on social media and independent media regarding the enactment of Decree 110/2024, which establishes "Regulations for the control and efficient use of Energy Carriers and Renewable Energy Sources," has triggered a strong reaction from authorities and official media of the Cuban regime.

The inclusion in the regulation of a "special electrical contingency regime" (Chapter VI, Section One), which establishes the procedures for authorities and economic actors in the event of a declaration and notice of the aforementioned regime, raised alarm among the public due to the wording of Article 40.1. This article contemplates the possibility of - in case of necessity - “affecting the electrical service in a planned and sustained manner for more than seventy-two [72] hours.”

Screenshot Facebook / Electric Company Pinar del Río

The recent total collapse of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) that Cubans experienced, which extended the blackout for more than 72 hours on a large scale across the territory, influenced the perception and understanding of the regulation issued by the Cuban regime, raising public fears that the decree will "officialize" an even darker chapter in the energy crisis.

Immediately, the media apparatus of the Cuban regime rushed to "debunk" the information published by independent media and social networks, alarmed by the wave of comments from outraged and desperate citizens.

Screenshot Facebook / UNE

"It is false that there is a plan for a total blackout in Cuba for 72 hours. Every day, the Buenos Días program on Canal Caribe and Cuban radio report the actual impact due to a deficit in generation capacity. IT IS NOT TRUE THAT A TOTAL BLACKOUT FOR 72 HOURS IS ANTICIPATED," clarified the Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) on social media.

However, an analysis of Decree 110/2024 shows that, although the regulation is ostensibly directed at "state and non-state economic actors," its content and the measures described indicate that the general population will also be affected.

A legal framework for the energy crisis

Decree 110 regulates how energy resources are managed in critical scenarios. In particular, Chapter VI outlines the necessary steps to declare and implement a state of emergency in the event that "the National Electric System fails to meet the system's demand with its generation capacity."

Article 40.1 states: “The Minister of Energy and Mines proposes to the Council of Ministers a special electric contingency regime when the National Electroenergetic System fails to meet the system's demand with its generation capacity, making it necessary to affect the electrical service in a planned and sustained manner for more than seventy-two hours.”

According to this article, the declaration of the "electric contingency regime" is activated when the national electricity grid is unable to meet demand for more than 72 hours, requiring planned and sustained restrictions on the electricity supply.

Although the initial approach appears to define a scope of application that encompasses both state and non-state enterprises and economic entities, the reality outlined in the decree and its provisions clearly indicates that the consequences of these measures will inevitably affect Cuban households.

Implications for the general population

The mere fact that the regulation indicates a course of action for the authorities in the event that it may be "necessary to affect electrical service in a planned and sustained manner for more than seventy-two hours" highlights the reality that this possibility could materialize, as Cubans have already experienced.

However, it is highly unlikely that an electric contingency regime can be implemented solely for economic actors without directly affecting the general population. Let's take a closer look at why:

Inability to separate economic actors and the population in a contingency regime:

1. Interdependence of economic actors and services to the population:

  • State and non-state economic actors are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the population. For example:
  • The affected refrigeration systems in economic entities include chambers that preserve food and medicines, which are essential for household consumption and public health.
  • The interruption of pumping can affect the supply of drinking water, a basic service for households.
  • Reductions in lighting and public illumination affect safety in the streets and communities, directly impacting daily life.

2. Strategic priorities that exclude the residential sector:

  • The prioritization of sectors such as tourism, healthcare, and food production may further reduce the electricity available for residential consumption, increasing the frequency and duration of power outages in homes.

3. Indirect Impact of the Measures:

  • Labor adjustments and the redistribution of schedules among economic actors also affect workers, who are largely citizens. Changes in their work routines impact the overall functioning of society.

Reason for the mass communication to the population

The instruction for the UNE to keep the public informed through mass media (Article 40.5) suggests an anticipated impact on the population, even though the decree does not state it explicitly.

This can be interpreted from two perspectives:

  1. Implicit recognition of widespread impact: Informing the public through mass media confirms that the measures are not confined to the business sector. If the population were not involved, communication could be restricted to economic actors through direct channels.
  2. Social control and management of expectations: Publicly informing about measures aims to avoid surprises and manage the population's reactions. In a crisis context, the regime seeks to maintain the perception of transparency and minimize social tensions by explaining the reasons behind the impacts.

In a context of insufficient generation and an outdated National Electric System, the energy deficit cannot be managed without impacting residential consumption. Therefore, even if measures for households are not directly established, they still face indirect consequences.

Conclusion: A decree that affects everyone

Decree 110/2024 exemplifies how a regulation aimed at economic actors inevitably impacts the general population.

By prioritizing strategic sectors and centralizing decision-making, the Cuban government aims to mitigate an unprecedented energy crisis.

However, the described measures and the required mass communication indicate that households will also play a central role in this contingency, facing power outages, limitations in basic services, and new tensions in their daily lives.

Therefore, the decree mixes elements of technical control with a political narrative to address both the crisis and its social impact.

Ultimately, this decree not only addresses an energy crisis but also redefines the living conditions of all Cubans, highlighting the limitations of the electrical system and the deep connections between the economy and society.

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