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The energy crisis in Cuba continues to deepen, with blackouts affecting much of the country and causing significant discontent among the population, particularly in the central-eastern region.
According to the latest report from Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the highest recorded impact yesterday was 1,511 MW at 6:30 p.m., while for the peak hours this Saturday, a availability of 1,765 MW is expected, with an estimated demand of 3,200 MW, which could result in an impact of 1,505 MW.
Since early Thursday morning, large regions of the country have been without electricity, with reports of prolonged outages that, in some cases, have exceeded 20 consecutive hours.
In eastern provinces like Granma, Las Tunas, and Holguín, blackouts have been frequent, while in Havana and some privileged areas in the west, the electricity supply has remained more stable.
With the country plunged into the worst energy crisis in decades, the Cuban regime does not halt its propaganda agenda and these days is celebrating in Havana the VI International Conference for the Balance of the World, with hundreds of foreign guests who - like former Spanish minister Irene Montero - advocate from their hotels and tourist circuits for a system that does not ensure public services for the population, nor rights and freedoms to claim them.
The discomfort of the population is palpable
The outrage of Cubans has spilled over to the social media of the UNE, where numerous users have expressed their frustration with the situation.
“We continue in this torment; when the light comes on late at night, we have to take advantage of it to cook and do everything that requires electricity. It is a daily mental and physical exhaustion that can no longer be endured.”
"The president said from day one: 'We are continuity and we are going for more'... more blackouts, more inflation, more misery."
"We go to bed without electricity and wake up without electricity. In some areas, we've had only an hour and a half of power. Cuba is progressing, but only for a few."
"Blackout Schedule: Season 500 of the series 'The Eternal Blackout'."
5. “One cannot rest even at dawn. While the leaders sleep well, have coffee, and have an early breakfast, the people remain in darkness.”
6. “We Easterners feel proud to save so that congresses, festivals, and all luxury activities can thrive in Havana.”
7. “There are municipalities that have been without power for more than 18 hours. What they are doing to us is criminal. It seems that the authorities do not care about us.”
8. “There is no respect for the Cuban people. We are tired of so many sacrifices and mistreatment. The people of Cuba deserve a better life.”
9. “They tell us that the outage will last for so many hours, but the reality is that we are without electricity almost all day. There are no expectations, only unbearable realities.”
A crisis with no solution in sight
The outlook shows no signs of improvement. This Saturday, the UNE reported that several generation units remain out of service due to breakdowns (Unit 3 of Renté and Unit 2 of Felton), or extended maintenance (Unit 2 of Santa Cruz, Units 3 and 4 of Cienfuegos, Unit 1 of Felton, and Unit 5 of Renté).
In addition, the shortage of fuel continues to impact the operability of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) with a deficit of 431 MW, indicating that power outages will persist or could even worsen in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime continues to show no signs of an effective strategy to resolve the crisis. Uncertainty about the future of the electricity service continues to grow, along with the desperation of Cubans facing endless nights of heat, darkness, and distress.
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