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The Electric Company of Havana issued three informational notes in recent hours indicating that, due to the "minimal availability" in the base generation of the National Electric System (SEN), they have been unable to meet the demand, which forced an extension of the planned power outages in the capital.
The state entity added—in a note published around 11 p.m. yesterday—that it was necessary to modify "the order of the previously reported blocks." It also specified that, at that time, customers associated with block #3 were affected.
In a second note, published after 6:00 a.m. this Thursday, the Electric Company indicated that at this time, customers associated with block # 1 were affected.
In a third note, the entity specified that "at this moment, clients associated with blocks # 1 and 2 are affected until 9 a.m.", and detailed what is expected for the rest of the day in the capital.
Block outage rotation scheduled for February 13 in Havana
-From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Blocks #3 and #4.
-From 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Blocks #1 and #2.
-From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Blocks #3 and #4.
In the comments section of the posts, numerous residents in the capital expressed their confusion and criticized the Electric Company for not informing them earlier about the changes and extensions in the outage schedules.
But the situation at the national level is truly critical, and as indicated this Thursday morning by journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso on Facebook.
"Cuba reports the highest electricity generation capacity deficit in recent months, perhaps years. By dawn this Thursday, much of the country is without electrical service," admitted the journalist.
Alonso added that numerous users have reported that power outages exceed 20 hours in some areas.
However, some reports on social media indicate that the outages exceed even 24 hours of continuous blackouts.
As of the close of this note, the Electric Union (UNE) has not released its daily report informing about what happened yesterday and the forecast of disruptions for today.
The forecast for power outages yesterday was 1,870 MW, which means 57% of the country was without electricity.
"We are on the brink of another massive blackout", a netizen stated bitterly on social media.
This Wednesday, the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) announced that Unit 1 of the Thermoelectric Plant, which was taken offline on Tuesday due to a malfunction, will not be able to reintegrate into the National Electric System (SEN) for about 20 days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Havana and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why are there blackouts in Havana?
Blackouts in Havana are a result of the minimal availability in electric generation of the National Electric System (SEN). This situation has forced the Electric Company of Havana to schedule power outages to meet the insufficient demand.
How long do the power outages last in Havana?
The scheduled blackouts in Havana have a variable duration that can exceed 4 hours daily. However, there have been reports of cases where the interruptions have lasted more than 20 hours in some areas, reflecting the severity of the energy crisis.
What measures are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
Currently, the measures include scheduled blackouts in blocks and calls for energy conservation. However, the situation remains critical, as breakdowns in generation plants and the lack of fuel are ongoing problems that limit the National Electric System's response capacity.
How does the energy crisis affect the daily life of Cubans?
The energy crisis is seriously affecting the daily lives of Cubans, who must face prolonged power outages, impacting routine activities such as cooking, studying, or working. Furthermore, the criticisms on social media reflect the discontent and desperation of the population due to the lack of effective solutions.
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