The Cuban government has announced a halt to work and educational activities scheduled for Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, in response to the country's severe energy crisis. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) stated, "Given the current energy situation and with the aim of conserving electricity to reduce the impact on the population, we have decided to suspend non-essential work and educational activities for the upcoming days of February 14 and 15." The official statement assures the continuation of essential services for the population, and workers affected by this measure will receive "protection equivalent to the salary scale of their position, in accordance with the Labor Code."
The government has not clarified the impact this decision might have on the 33rd Havana International Book Fair, set to open this Friday in the capital with 400 guests from 40 countries expected to attend.
A Collapsing Energy System
State media recently reported statements from Lázaro Guerra, the general director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), who warned that the coming days would be particularly challenging, although there is hope for "improvement in service disruptions." Meanwhile, the state-run Electric Union (UNE) predicted a maximum shortfall of 56% of national demand on Thursday, amounting to 1,810 MW during peak usage hours.
Cuba's energy situation has reached a critical point: ten thermoelectric units were out of service yesterday, six due to breakdowns and four undergoing maintenance. This means half of the total 20 thermoelectric production units—spread across seven plants—are non-operational. Additionally, 59 distributed generation plants and two floating power stations have ceased operations due to a lack of fuel (fuel oil and diesel).
An Ongoing Crisis Without a Clear Solution
Over recent years, the Cuban government has implemented temporary measures to address its energy crisis, yet these have failed to resolve the country's fundamental structural issues. At one point, Cuba rented as many as eight floating power stations from a Turkish company, a quick but expensive fix. However, five of these infrastructures left the country last year, leaving the already fragile national electric system even more vulnerable, as EFE news agency reports.
Cities across the island have experienced power outages lasting more than 24 hours in some cases recently. Havana has not been spared, with its electric company forced to schedule service interruptions lasting at least six hours. Although the energy crisis has long plagued the island, the situation has worsened significantly since the last quarter of 2024, when two massive blackouts occurred, one on October 18 and another on December 4. The frequent breakdowns of the outdated thermoelectric plants, which have operated for decades without proper investment in maintenance, are compounded by the fuel shortages. Various estimates suggest that between $8 billion and $10 billion would be needed to modernize the National Electrical System, an investment beyond the Cuban government's reach.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the recent suspension of work and classes in Cuba?
The suspension was due to a severe energy crisis in Cuba, prompting the government to conserve electricity and reduce the impact on the population.
How many thermoelectric units are currently out of service in Cuba?
Ten thermoelectric units are currently out of service, with six due to breakdowns and four undergoing maintenance.
How has the energy crisis affected Havana?
Havana has experienced scheduled service interruptions lasting at least six hours, as part of the city's efforts to manage the power shortage.