The energy crisis in Cuba continues to worsen, and the situation in the province of Holguín is becoming more complex. According to the Electric Company of Holguín in their official Facebook profile, the deficit in generation capacity has forced them to limit electrical service to cycles no longer than three hours. The entity warned that the situation will worsen in the coming hours, with a greater impact during the peak nighttime hours.
"The population is urged to use energy rationally and to take the necessary measures to ensure cooking and other essential tasks can be carried out during the time service is provided," the statement indicated.
In an interview with the state radio station Radio Angulo, the director of the provincial cargo office, Davielquis Cortina Cobas, explained that the situation is due to the shutdown of several generating units in the country, including Unit 3 of the CTE Santa Cruz, Unit 5 of the CTE 10 de Octubre, Units 1 and 2 of Felton, as well as failures in the plants in Cienfuegos and Renté, in addition to the lack of fuel at the Central Fuel Oil in Moa.
Cortina Cobas specified that the energy availability for the day was estimated at 1,590 megawatts (MW), while the maximum demand reached 3,200 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,680 MW. This gap has caused virtually all switchable circuits in Holguín to be out of service since early morning, preventing the rotation of electricity service.
"We have been at maximum outages for days, but today we woke up with nearly all the outages being affected," the official stated. To mitigate the crisis, electricity supply to hospitals, water pumping stations, and other essential services has been prioritized with the use of generators. However, Cortina Cobas acknowledged that the situation is severe and that during peak demand hours, between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, even these essential circuits will not be exempt from disruptions.
Although a slight improvement is expected with the arrival of fuel oil at the Moa plant in the next 24 hours, the official warned that the process is not immediate and the energy situation will remain unstable.
An energy crisis without immediate solutions
The energy situation in Cuba remains critical at the national level, with prolonged blackouts in several provinces. The government has promised improvements before the end of the year, assuring that it will add 1,000 MW to the electrical system in 2025, although experts and the public are skeptical about these announcements.
Meanwhile, the Electric Union (UNE) had forecasted for Wednesday another day of significant blackouts in the country, with impacts that could reach 1,680 MW during peak hours, affecting primarily the central-eastern region.
This crisis is compounded by a new breakdown at the 10 de Octubre Thermoelectric Power Plant in Nuevitas, in Camagüey, where a leak in the boiler of unit number 5 has worsened the instability of the National Electric System. Currently, several generating units remain out of service, and the repairs have proven neither effective nor long-lasting, leading to an increase in power outages and public discontent.
The electrical crisis in Cuba continues to worsen, with prolonged power outages impacting the daily lives of the population and leaving thousands of families in precarious conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Blackouts in Cuba
What is the main cause of the electricity deficit in Holguín and other provinces of Cuba?
The main cause of the electricity deficit in Holguín and other provinces of Cuba is the outage of several generating units due to breakdowns, maintenance, and lack of fuel. Among the affected units are those from the thermoelectric plants in Santa Cruz, Felton, Cienfuegos, and Renté. This situation has resulted in a significant deficit in the national electricity generation capacity.
How is the energy crisis affecting daily life for the population in Holguín and other regions?
The energy crisis is severely affecting the daily lives of the population in Holguín and other regions of Cuba. Prolonged blackouts hinder essential activities such as cooking and using household appliances. Additionally, they create an atmosphere of uncertainty and social unrest due to the lack of effective short-term solutions.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to mitigate the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has prioritized the supply of electricity to essential services such as hospitals and water pumping stations through the use of generators. However, these measures have not been sufficient to address the underlying issue, resulting in dissatisfaction and criticism among the population due to the ongoing blackouts.
What is the projection for blackouts in Cuba in the coming days?
The projection for power outages in Cuba over the next few days indicates that they will continue to significantly impact the country. It is expected that the generation deficit will continue to exceed 1,000 MW during peak hours, worsening the current situation and maintaining uncertainty about when the energy crisis will be resolved.
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