The ongoing energy crisis continues to impact millions of Cubans, with Thursday's forecast predicting a 1176 MW shortfall during peak hours, leading to widespread outages reaching 1246 MW. Early in the morning, the Electric Union reported on social media that only 1949 MW was available against a demand of 2070 MW, leaving 289 MW of consumers without electricity at that time.
As the day progresses, disruptions are expected to reach alarming levels, with 600 MW out of service by noon and even larger outages during peak consumption periods. Yesterday highlighted the severity of the situation, with continuous blackouts from 5:04 a.m. into the early morning hours. The most significant outage occurred at 6:20 p.m., leaving 1355 MW out of commission, plunging vast areas of the country into darkness.
The system's deterioration is evident, with major breakdowns in key units like Nuevitas 6, Felton 2, and Renté 6, which remain non-operational. Additionally, units in Cienfuegos, Santa Cruz, and Renté are under maintenance, while 48 generation plants and the Santiago de Cuba barge, contributing 37 MW, are offline due to fuel shortages. These technical and fuel limitations total 281 MW out of service, exacerbating the crisis.
Havana Faces Blackouts Too
Once spared from severe interruptions due to its high consumption and strategic importance, the capital is no longer exempt. Today, the Havana Electricity Company announced the blocks that will be without service during three critical time frames:
- Blocks 1 and 2: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Block 4: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Block 3: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
An Uncertain Future
Without an effective plan or resources for recovery, blackouts will continue to paralyze daily life and the economic development of the nation. The uncertainty over when and how this crisis will be resolved leaves Cubans mired in despair.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the severe power outages in Cuba?
The outages are primarily due to a significant shortfall in power generation capacity, mechanical failures in key units, and fuel shortages affecting numerous power plants.
Which areas are most affected by the blackouts?
Vast regions across the country, including the capital Havana, are experiencing significant power outages due to the ongoing energy crisis.
How are the outages affecting daily life in Cuba?
The power outages disrupt daily activities and economic operations, leading to frustration and uncertainty among the population.