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The Isle of Youth is the only territory in Cuba that has not been affected by the massive blackout that plunged the entire country into darkness.
The Island, territory independent of the National Electric System (SEN), has electricity generation, as confirmed by executives of the Electric Company through social media.
"Did you know that the Isle of Youth is not affected by deficits or by disconnection from the SEN? The special municipality of Isle of Youth has its own electrical system that does not depend at all on the SEN of the large island," said the regime.
In an act of cynicism, he has congratulated the residents of that territory: "Bravo to the islanders", while the rest of Cuba suffers from intermittent electricity generation.
Electricity in that location is primarily produced using fuel oil and diesel. In 2009, two generators from the German company MAN were installed, which increased the capacity to 30 MW.
Isla de la Juventud, with a population of about 86,000 inhabitants, has remained unaffected by the blackouts that affected millions of Cubans this weekend.
The Island demands approximately 16 MW and has a generation capacity of around 30 MW, when combining the output from the two MAN plants and the contribution from the experimental wind farm.
However, on some occasions they have experienced blackouts. Years ago, following the shutdown of several generating plants, they had to schedule power outages.
In the rest of Cuba, the situation is critical. This Saturday, an official admitted that the country would head towards a scenario in which there would be no fuel, a crisis similar to the feared "Opción Cero", as the extreme situation of energy and economic crisis experienced by Cuba during the Special Period in the nineties was called.
The vice governor of the province of Cienfuegos, Rolando José Rajadel Alzuri, stated in remarks broadcast by the Perlavisión television center that it is "evident" that Cuba will reach a point where it has no fuel reserves in its economy.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Blackouts in Cuba
Why is the Isle of Youth not affected by blackouts in Cuba?
The Isle of Youth has an independent electrical system from the National Energy System (SEN), which allows it to remain operational while other regions of Cuba face blackouts. Its generation capacity is 30 MW, sufficient to meet the local demand of 16 MW, thanks to its plants that primarily operate on fuel oil and diesel.
What is the current situation of the electricity supply in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a significant shortfall in its electricity generation capacity, leading to blackouts in various regions of the country. The collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) is due to breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants, a shortage of fuel, and maintenance issues, with no short-term solution in sight.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to partially restore some thermoelectric units and create microsystems to address the lack of electricity in certain areas. However, these measures have not been sufficient due to the shortage of fuel and resources, which prolongs the energy crisis in the country.
How does the energy crisis affect the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis in Cuba severely affects the daily lives of citizens. Prolonged and unpredictable blackouts interrupt essential everyday activities, lead to food spoilage due to the lack of refrigeration, and create deep social discontent that has resulted in protests and demonstrations.
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