On Wednesday, December 11, the Havana Electric Company announced the implementation of planned power outages due to a shortfall in electricity generation within the National Electric System. These blackouts are set to impact various sectors of the capital at designated times throughout the day.
According to the official statement, the following areas and times will experience power interruptions:
Blocks #3 and #4: The outage is scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Block #2: Electricity will be cut between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Block #1: Service will be suspended from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The company did not specify the exact scale of the generation deficit or when the system's conditions might stabilize. However, they urged affected customers to take necessary precautions to lessen the impact of the power cuts.
This new wave of power service disruptions unfolds within a backdrop of persistent challenges in energy production and distribution across the country, affecting both households and critical economic sectors.
Residents of Havana are advised to stay informed through future announcements from the Electric Company regarding any adjustments in the outage schedule.
In recent weeks, Havana has been grappling with an escalating energy crisis, characterized by prolonged outages that have sparked significant public discontent. Since November 5, the Electric Company has been enforcing scheduled outages, in some instances exceeding 20 hours daily. These interruptions, attributed to the electrical generation deficit and exacerbated by climatic events like Hurricane Rafael, have led to neighborhood protests, such as the banging of pots and pans observed in Vedado after enduring 60 hours without power.
On November 16, during the city's 505th anniversary, celebrations were overshadowed by issues such as blackouts, garbage accumulation, and deficiencies in basic services. The power outages not only disrupt daily life in Havana but also highlight disparities in service distribution, with harsher conditions reported in provinces outside the capital. Social media has become a platform where citizens voice their frustration over the lack of immediate solutions and the continuous decline in their quality of life.
Recent events, like the building collapses in Centro Habana following Hurricane Rafael, have exposed the vulnerability of urban infrastructure, while the population deals with a growing sense of neglect from the authorities. The power outages, alongside the collapse of the National Electric System, underscore not only an energy crisis but also a rising social unrest in a city teetering on the brink of its capabilities.
Understanding Havana's Energy Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Havana?
The power outages are primarily due to a deficit in electricity generation within the National Electric System, compounded by recent climatic events like Hurricane Rafael.
How long are the power outages expected to last?
The duration of the outages varies, with some scheduled cuts lasting up to 20 hours daily. The Electric Company has not provided a timeline for when the situation will improve.
How are residents of Havana responding to the outages?
Residents have expressed their frustration through social media and protests, such as banging pots and pans, demanding solutions from the authorities.