Electric crisis hits Havana: Four out of six blocks in blackout

Havana woke up this Saturday under a severe energy crisis, after four of the six main blocks of the electrical system were out of service.

The massive blackout affects hundreds of thousands of residents and threatens to extend over the next few hours, as authorities work against the clock to restore the supply.

According to the technical reports from the Electric Company of Havana on Telegram, the units 1, 3, 4, and 5 are halted due to emergencies, while another key unit remains offline for scheduled maintenance.

The situation with the generating blocks has drastically reduced generation capacity and forced the implementation of prolonged outages in various municipalities.

Residents of Havana neighborhoods such as Centro Habana, Diez de Octubre, and Marianao have voiced their dissatisfaction with the situation.

The state-owned company confirmed that this Friday, the electrical service was disrupted in Havana for the entire day. By Saturday morning, the service had still not been restored.

The highest impact was 198 MW at 8:40 PM. All six units were affected.

"The conditions regarding the availability of generation continue, therefore for today the disruptions will continue with an average duration of up to 4 hours," wrote the company.

In comments on social media, some noted that they had already been without electricity for several hours, impacting food preservation, access to water, and communication.

The crisis adds to a series of recurring failures in the energy infrastructure of the country, characterized by outdated equipment, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages.

The generation deficit in Cuba reached 1,939 megawatts during the night peak hours on Friday, while for this Saturday a shortfall of 1,868 MW is expected, according to official sources.

The magnitude of the deficit has made it necessary to implement prolonged and unequal cuts, which makes it impossible to establish a stable rotation system for the different regions.

In several provinces, power outages exceed 12 hours daily, significantly impacting homes, hospitals, workplaces, and essential services.

This situation is unsustainable and complicates daily life. The issues range from the loss of refrigerated foods to difficulties in water pumping and medical care in facilities that rely on auxiliary power generators.

In recent months, power outages have become a part of everyday life, generating social discontent and pressuring authorities to seek emergency solutions.

Meanwhile, the people of Havana face the uncertainty of not knowing how long the darkness will last, in a situation that recalls the prolonged power crises of past decades.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba