The Electric Company of Havana (EELH) announced on Wednesday that it will begin implementing power cuts during the early morning hours as an emergency measure to address the ongoing generation deficit in the National Electric System (SEN).
New measures in response to the energy collapse
According to the note published on Facebook, the aim of these additional blackouts is to "balance the impact due to the generation deficit in the electrical system in the capital."
The company announced that the service will be interrupted for up to an hour during the early morning hours, in the circuits that were not affected during the regular daytime and nighttime outages.
"The EELH will affect emergency service for up to one hour during the early morning hours for clients associated with planned blocks who were not impacted during the scheduled time," it explained in its statement.
Reality surpasses official planning
Although the entity claims that the daily blackouts are scheduled in blocks lasting four hours between 10:00 AM and 12:00 AM, in practice, the people of Havana are experiencing interruptions lasting between six and seven hours.
In a second post, the company added that power outages after midnight will be implemented "in the same order they were carried out during the day, starting with those circuits that have not been affected."
Outrage in the provinces
One of the most common complaints among Cubans is that Havana receives preferential treatment in electrical distribution.
Although people in Havana now experience an extra hour of blackout, the rest of the country has been facing only three to four hours of service per day for months.
In recent weeks, there have been areas in the "interior" that have gone more than 24 consecutive hours without electricity, while those in the capital are experiencing shorter scheduled outages.
The megawatts generated by thermal power plants do not remain in their regions, but are redirected to Havana, with the aim of protecting strategic areas.
This imbalance has generated a strong feeling of territorial discrimination, which has evolved from discontent to political indignation in certain areas of the interior of the country.
Persistent instability
This new announcement from the EELH comes on a day when the electrical deficit continues to hover around 1,500 MW.
The measure adds to an energy crisis that has worsened in recent months, with frequent outages affecting both urban and rural areas, seriously impacting the quality of life for the population and the functioning of economic and social sectors.
The lack of generation, combined with structural problems in the thermoelectric plants and fuel shortages, keeps the country in a state of high energy vulnerability.
Meanwhile, the authorities continue to rely on contingency measures that do not address the root of the problem and increasingly disrupt the daily routine of Cubans.
Frequently asked questions about blackouts in Havana and the energy crisis in Cuba
Why are blackouts occurring during the early morning hours in Havana?
The power outages during the early morning in Havana are due to a persistent generation deficit in the National Electric System (SEN). The Electric Company of Havana has implemented them as an emergency measure to balance the disruptions in the circuits that were not affected during the regular daytime and nighttime outages.
How long do power outages last in Havana?
Although the Electric Company of Havana plans power outages lasting four hours, in practice, the outages can last between six and seven hours. Moreover, additional cuts of up to one hour have been added during the early morning.
What are the causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is due to insufficient generation, breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, and a shortage of fuel. Structural problems in the electrical infrastructure and a lack of investment have worsened the situation, keeping the country in a state of high energy vulnerability.
How does the energy crisis affect the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis severely impacts the quality of life for Cubans, interrupting daily activities such as cooking, working, and studying. Additionally, prolonged blackouts affect nighttime rest, damage household appliances, and create deep social unrest due to misinformation and the unequal distribution of hardships.
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