The multinational network Telesur published a report explaining how Cuba “is shielding itself against blackouts” with solar energy, and the criticism from Cubans on social media has been swift.
The report discusses the resilience of the Cuban people and a decentralized strategy, in a context where Cubans are suffering from long hours of power outages following the disconnection from the National Electric System last Thursday.
The report also states that the Cuban government is undertaking the installation of 5,000 small-scale photovoltaic systems in eastern Cuba, donated by China.
Of these, 2,671 are allocated to polyclinics, water pumping stations, maternity homes, and other "strategic institutions."
However, the report has sparked criticism from many Cubans who claim that "the people are still experiencing blackouts."
"It is very difficult for the foremen in Cuba to know anything about how to maintain an infrastructure like that. They have never maintained anything they have built. They continue to squander the little money (that does not belong to them) while turning their backs on the world," said a user.
"Of course, more than 10 million are 'shielding' themselves with 5,000 photovoltaic systems... they should change the regime already..." another one joked.
An internet user criticized that these are referred to as "donated" panels and believes that "the only ones who benefit are the government."
"Donated. We must politically erase communism from the planet. People are suffering, families are torn apart, and you are whitewashing a sinister dictatorship. Working in that channel is having a sick soul," said another.
Disconnection from the National Electrical System and electric crisis
The Electric Union (UNE) announces more blackouts for the weekend, following the near-total collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) last Wednesday, which left much of the country without service.
Friday was a critical day, with a peak impact from generation capacity deficit reaching 2046 MW at 7:10 PM, a situation that caused protests in areas of Havana and Matanzas.
According to the report from the UNE, at 6:00 AM this Saturday, the availability of the SEN was only 1000 MW compared to a demand of 2223 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1266 MW and directly affecting millions of users.
For the halfway point of the schedule, the impact is estimated at 1250 MW, confirming that the crisis continues even outside of peak consumption times.
The main issues explaining this deficit are concentrated in breakdowns and maintenance of generating units.
Currently, six units are out of service due to issues at the CTE Mariel, Santa Cruz, Antonio Guiteras, Felton, and Antonio Maceo plants. Additionally, there are three blocks under maintenance at the Mariel, Nuevitas, and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plants.
Meanwhile, additional limitations in thermal generation account for 322 MW out of operation.
This combination keeps the SEN operating with extremely limited capacity.
Havana experienced a Friday night filled with protests and the sound of pots and pans in various locations due to the lack of electricity service.
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