Related videos:
The energy crisis in Cuba intensified this Thursday following the unexpected shutdown of unit 3 at the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant, due to an automatic failure, reported official journalist José Miguel Solís, citing sources from the National Electric System (SEN) and Energás Cuba.
The breakdown worsens the already precarious situation of the SEN, which is facing a forecasted deficit of 1,280 MW at midday and 1,552 MW during peak nighttime hours this Thursday. Authorities expect the Cienfuegos unit to reintegrate into the system before midday, although no technical details have been provided regarding the extent of the failure.
Massive disruptions throughout the day
La Unión Eléctrica (UNE) confirmed in the informative note published on its official page that on Wednesday, May 28, the electrical service was affected for 24 hours, including the early hours of Thursday. The highest impact occurred between 6:30 p.m. and 9:50 p.m., reaching a peak of 1,630 MW, even surpassing prior forecasts.
This Thursday, the available generation barely reaches 1,850 MW against a national demand of 3,050 MW, which implies a deficit of 1,223 MW in the morning and an even greater imbalance at night, with a projected demand of 3,550 MW and only 2,068 MW available.
Scheduled blackouts in Havana
Amid the energy crisis, the Electric Company of Havana announced new scheduled power outages for this Thursday, May 29, with blocks of affected areas during different time slots: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (B1), 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (B3), 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (B4), 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (B2), and 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. (B5). The company warned that if the conditions of the SEN require it, outages may occur in the early morning for circuits that have not been affected during the day.
This Wednesday, the Electric Company of Havana also announced additional blackouts during the early morning as an emergency measure, should the conditions of the National Electric System require it. The interruptions, lasting up to an hour, will be applied to circuits that were not affected during the regular outage schedule.
Meanwhile, discontent is rising in the provinces, where the outages far exceed those in Havana. Rural areas have reported interruptions of more than 24 continuous hours, while in the capital, the blackouts follow a scheduled pattern with breaks. This inequality in the distribution of electricity has generated feelings of territorial discrimination and increasing social unrest.
This Tuesday, university students in Guantánamo and Cienfuegos held peaceful protests, denouncing the precarious conditions in their housing, the lack of electricity, drinking water, and adequate food. The demonstrations, which took place amid nighttime blackouts, were met with threats and intimidation from academic authorities and regime forces, in a context of growing youth discontent over the deterioration of living conditions and institutional neglect.
Despite the ongoing promises of recovery and announcements of new investments in plants like Energás Jaruco and Varadero, the lack of generation capacity, structural problems in thermoelectric plants, and fuel shortages keep the country immersed in an energy crisis with no short-term solution.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of power outages in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is due to a deficit in electric generation capacity, worsened by breakdowns in several units of the thermoelectric plants, maintenance issues, and a critical shortage of fuel. These factors have resulted in an increase in prolonged blackouts throughout the country.
How do power outages affect the Cuban population?
Power outages severely impact the quality of life for Cubans, interrupting essential services such as water supply, gas, and communications. Furthermore, prolonged electricity cuts hinder daily activities and create growing discontent among the population.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promised to carry out repairs on the thermoelectric plants and to increase generation capacity through investments in solar facilities and parks. However, these measures have not succeeded in resolving the issue of blackouts, which persist due to a lack of fuel and proper maintenance.
What is the impact of the energy crisis on urban and rural areas of Cuba?
The energy crisis affects cities and rural areas unevenly. In Havana, blackouts are scheduled, while in the interior provinces and rural areas, interruptions can last more than 24 continuous hours, leading to feelings of territorial discrimination and social discontent.
What actions has the Cuban population taken in response to the ongoing blackouts?
Due to the lack of electricity, Cubans have organized peaceful protests, especially in the most affected provinces like Guantánamo and Cienfuegos. These demonstrations have demanded better living conditions, including stable electricity supply, drinking water, and adequate food.
Filed under: