Related videos:
The Cuban capital faced a particularly critical day of power outages on Wednesday, a reflection of an ongoing energy crisis that shows no signs of relief and keeps citizens on the brink of exhaustion.
According to the Electric Company of Havana, the low availability of power generation forced a reduction of 296 MW due to an emergency, leaving multiple blocks of the city without electricity, including blocks 3, 4, 5, and 6, which were classified as "emergency."
The people of Havana expressed their frustration emphatically on social media.
Comments on the Facebook page of the company revealed the frustration: "How much longer? This is not a life," wrote a user.
Others denounced the arbitrary manner in which electricity is cut off and restored, as well as the problems this generates.
"Respect this hardworking people who are tired of the same speech and the same justifications. We wake up without electricity, we go to bed without electricity, we spend the early hours without electricity, and with mosquitoes, we can't take it anymore," expressed a tour guide.
"I no longer remember the last time I watched a series or a movie on my TV, because we Cubans can't even do that. Cooking poorly in a hurry, washing at unimaginable hours, and if you have water..." another neighbor detailed.
Some questioned that blackouts always affect the people, while privileged sectors remain uninterrupted.
"All the blocks are without power, paying for the areas of the untouchables who waste it and never have their electricity cut off," said a mother.
"How long is this going to last? We've been without power in block 2 since 2 PM. Look at the time; we need to cook, the kids are desperate, everything has a limit," demanded another.
Wednesday was an especially tough day in the capital. The electricity service was interrupted for 24 hours, with a peak of 341 MW at 8:50 PM, affecting all six blocks.
The Electric Company explained that the restoration of service will be carried out in accordance with the demands of the national system, prioritizing the blocks with the longest time of disruption, but it did not provide specific timelines or immediate solutions.
Citizens, meanwhile, are expressing growing fatigue and a sense of abandonment: "Shame, they are an embarrassment... Enough, what we want are solutions, no more explanations or justifications. Solutions," demanded a user.
National crisis
Although in Havana the hours without electricity are usually fewer than in other provinces—where blackouts last over 24 continuous hours—the situation in the capital reflects the magnitude of the energy crisis affecting the entire Island.
If the capital, with some priority, faces such severe cuts, it is evident that the situation in the rest of the country is horrific.
The crisis highlights the government's inability to ensure a basic and consistent supply, resulting from negligent management, a lack of planning, and reliance on aging equipment.
While the population endures exhausting days, affected by power outages and their impact on daily life and essential services, authorities continue to fail to implement effective measures to reverse the situation.
Wednesday became yet another example of the collapse of the SEN, highlighting that the Island remains shrouded in darkness and that, without structural changes and responsible decisions, Cubans will continue to live under prolonged blackouts that strip away their daily lives and hope.
Frequently asked questions about blackouts in Havana and the energy crisis in Cuba
Why is Havana experiencing severe blackouts?
The Cuban capital is facing a serious energy crisis due to low electricity generation availability. It has been reported that the Electric Company of Havana has had to interrupt electrical supply due to a generation deficit, affecting several areas of the city. This situation reflects structural problems within Cuba's National Electric System (SEN), which include breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages.
What is the magnitude of the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a power generation deficit that has exceeded 1,700 megawatts (MW). This collapse has led to continuous and prolonged blackouts across the country, severely affecting the daily lives of citizens. The lack of maintenance in the power plants, the reliance on outdated equipment, and the shortage of fuel are some of the underlying causes of this crisis.
How is the energy crisis affecting the citizens of Havana?
The prolonged and frequent blackouts are severely impacting the daily lives of the people in Havana. Citizens are facing difficulties in cooking, preserving food, resting properly, and accessing basic services such as water. Moreover, there is a perception of inequality in the distribution of the outages, which generates strong social discontent and a feeling of neglect from the government.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
So far, the Cuban government has not implemented effective measures to address the energy crisis. The authorities have merely published daily reports informing about the status of the National Electric System, but they have not provided concrete solutions or timelines for restoring the service. The crisis remains without a short-term solution, increasing frustration and skepticism among the population.
Filed under: