Authorities in Matanzas, the second province that consumes the most electricity in Cuba, announced the increase of the "maximum reducible" in the territory from 9.3% to 10% of the total national impact, a decision that confirms the worsening of the energy crisis in the country.
The measure was confirmed by Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the first secretary of the Party in the province, “following an in-depth analysis” with executives from the Electric Company of Matanzas. The official acknowledged that in recent weeks the province experienced outages of between 12 and 15% of the total on the island, significantly above the newly approved threshold.
The average consumption in Matanzas ranges between 240 and 270 megawatts (MW). On a day like this Wednesday, when the Electric Union (UNE) forecasted a maximum impact of up to 1,770 MW during peak night hours, Matanzas could face outages of up to 177 MW, which corresponds to between 65% and 74% of the province's total consumption. This means that, potentially, two out of every three residents of Matanzas could be left without electricity simultaneously, even while adhering to the "officially approved" limit.
Far from providing solutions to address the blackouts, Sabines justified the adjustment by arguing that "everything possible is being done to achieve a fairer distribution of energy," according to a report from the newspaper Girón.
It was also mentioned that prioritized circuits “will be turned off at times when the service is not needed to ensure vital functions”, an ambiguous phrase that raises more questions than certainties. The authorities did not specify how that need will be defined nor which areas will see their already limited electricity availability reduced.
In parallel, on Monday, there were 206 active outages, of which only 40 were resolved that day, according to data provided by Alejandro Rodríguez Azpeitía, the provincial director of the Electric Company. Additionally, there were 27 new reports, not counting the hundreds of calls that overwhelmed the line set up to receive complaints: 679 in 24 hours, of which only 20 could be processed.
While the newspaper mentioned that "the number of operators doubled to receive complaints from the public," it also "rebuked" citizens for the "misuse of the telephone line," without acknowledging that the overwhelming volume of complaints is a direct consequence of operational inefficiency and growing citizen desperation.
In this context, "the authorities in Matanzas also emphasized the need for effective communication, so that the population remains informed about the electrical situation in the region," a statement that sounds more like a distraction than a strategy.
For the people of Matanzas, what remains evident is that blackouts are increasing, responses are not forthcoming, and what was once a limit is now simply another number that can be adjusted.
Matanzas is one of the regions where power outages lasting over 20 hours daily have been reported, severely impacting the daily lives of the population.
In February, a nighttime image of Varadero, Cuba's main tourist destination located in Matanzas, sparked controversy on social media by contrasting the popular beach resort and all its lights on with the darkness that prevails in much of the country, amid the severe energy crisis affecting Cuba.
Nevertheless, in some of the recent widespread power outages that have affected the National Electroenergetic System in recent months, the circuit supplying Varadero has also been impacted, leaving several of its hotels in darkness due to failures in their self-generation systems.
In less than one month until the official start of summer, the situation remains critical, and the authorities continue to insist on their narrative of vague and empty promises, while the population faces extensive and frequent blackouts throughout the country.
The "strategy" of Miguel Díaz-Canel's government to schedule blackouts throughout the year for maintenance and repairs in the thermoelectric plants, with the aim of having them fully operational in the summer, when consumption surges in the country, continues to yield no results.
According to the official newspaper Granma, the regime is working on a "gradual" strategy to recover the electrical system, although officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) themselves acknowledge that, in the short term, blackouts will not decrease and that for the summer of 2025 they plan to reduce them to "only" four hours daily.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and Power Outages in Matanzas
Why is Matanzas facing more severe blackouts?
Matanzas is facing severe blackouts due to the deficit in electricity generation in Cuba, worsened by the lack of fuel and breakdowns in generating units.
How does the energy crisis affect the population of Matanzas?
The energy crisis in Matanzas is severely impacting daily life, leaving the population without electricity for long hours, disrupting daily activities such as cooking, storing food, and accessing basic services. This has created an atmosphere of despair and frustration among the residents.
What measures are the Cuban authorities taking to address the energy crisis?
Cuban authorities have attempted to mitigate the crisis with strategies such as scheduling rolling blackouts and installing solar parks. However, these measures have not succeeded in stabilizing the electricity supply or meeting the needs of the population.
What has the Cuban government said about the current energy crisis?
The Cuban government, through figures like Miguel Díaz-Canel, has acknowledged the seriousness of the crisis, but has restricted itself to making promises of future improvements, without providing immediate and effective solutions. This stance has been criticized by the population, who are suffering the direct consequences of the lack of electricity.
What is the short-term outlook for the energy crisis in Cuba?
In the short term, no significant improvements are expected in Cuba's energy crisis. Authorities have acknowledged that blackouts will continue and that the solutions implemented so far have not been effective. The population continues to face prolonged outages and an unstable electricity service.
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