Havana’s Electric Company has issued a warning about upcoming emergency power outages slated for this Friday, affecting residents of the city. These outages come amid the ongoing crisis plaguing Cuba's National Electric System.
According to a notice posted on Facebook, power cuts will hit customers in the capital connected to Blocks #1 and #2 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., followed by Block #4 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The notice urges residents to be mindful of electricity usage to help reduce consumption and prevent overloading the grid. This advice comes at a critical juncture as the generation shortfall is expected to reach 1,595 MW during peak hours, which is more than half of the national demand.
Severe Energy Deficit Hits Cuba
On Friday, the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported that the available power generation at the start of the day was only 1,550 MW, compared to a demand of 2,480 MW. This shortage has resulted in widespread power cuts, particularly impacting the central and eastern regions of the country. The energy deficit has persisted for a full 24 hours, with issues worsening on the night of October 31.
Complicating the situation further, several power plants are out of operation due to breakdowns and fuel shortages. Facilities like the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Nuevitas power plants remain offline. The UNE projects that during peak hours, available energy will barely reach 1,675 MW, against an estimated demand of 3,200 MW, leading to a projected shortfall of 1,525 MW.
Challenges in Fuel Supply and System Maintenance
Vicente De La O Levy, Cuba’s Minister of Energy and Mines, has described the country's electrical system as "fragile," citing logistical challenges and adverse maritime conditions that hinder fuel supply. While ruling out a complete system collapse like the one experienced last Friday, he warned of ongoing instability in power supply, exacerbated by the aging infrastructure and lack of maintenance.