The Cuban government announced the suspension of work and educational activities for this Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15 due to the severe energy crisis the country is facing.
“Given the energy situation the country is facing and with the aim of contributing to the necessary savings in electricity consumption to mitigate the impact on the population, it has been decided to suspend non-essential teaching and work activities on February 14 and 15,” informed the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS).
The official statement clarifies that basic services for the population will be maintained, and that workers affected by the measure will receive “protection equivalent to the salary scale of the position they hold, in accordance with what is established in the Labor Code.”
The government did not specify how this decision will affect the 33rd edition of the International Book Fair of Havana, which is scheduled to open this Friday in the capital, with the participation of 400 guests from 40 countries.
A collapsed energy system
In recent hours, official media have reported statements from Lázaro Guerra, General Director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), who warned that today would be particularly challenging, although "an improvement in service disruptions is expected."
For its part, the state-owned Unión Eléctrica (UNE) forecasted a maximum deficit of 56% of the national demand on Thursday, equivalent to 1,810 MW during peak consumption hours.
The energy situation is critical in Cuba: ten thermoelectric units were out of service yesterday, six of them due to breakdowns and four for maintenance.
This means that half of the total of 20 thermal production units—which are distributed across seven plants—are inoperative.
Additionally, 59 distributed generation plants and two floating power stations (patanas) have gone out of service due to a lack of fuel (fuel oil and diesel).
A crisis without a solution
The Cuban government has resorted to temporary solutions in recent years to alleviate its energy crisis, but these have not managed to resolve the structural problem the country is facing.
They even rented up to eight floating platforms from a Turkish company, a quick but costly measure.
"However, five of these infrastructures left the country last year, making the already deteriorated national electrical system even more vulnerable", the agency EFE. reminds us today.
Cities across the country have experienced power outages that have lasted more than 24 consecutive hours in some cases in recent days.
Havana has also not been spared, as its electricity company has been forced to schedule service interruptions of at least six hours.
The energy crisis is affecting the island, but it has worsened significantly since the last quarter of 2024, when two massive blackouts were recorded—one on October 18 and another on December 4.
The constant breakdowns of the outdated thermoelectric power plants, which have been in operation for decades without adequate investment for maintenance, are compounded by a lack of fuel
Various estimates indicate that between 8 billion and 10 billion dollars would be needed to modernize the National Electric System, an investment that is beyond the reach of the Cuban government.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why were work and educational activities suspended in Cuba?
Work and teaching activities have been suspended due to the severe energy crisis facing the country. The aim of this measure is to help conserve electrical energy to mitigate the impact on the population.
What are the causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is due to multiple factors, including breakdowns in thermoelectric units, a lack of fuel for distributed generation, and the obsolescence of electrical infrastructures. This has resulted in a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity.
How is the energy crisis affecting cultural events in Cuba?
The energy crisis is creating uncertainty regarding the organization of cultural events, such as the 33rd International Book Fair of Havana. It has not been specified how the suspension of activities will impact this event, which was scheduled to begin during the crisis.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented temporary measures such as the suspension of non-essential activities and the leasing of floating power generation plants. However, these measures have not resolved the structural problem of the electrical system, which requires significant investment for its modernization.
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