The energy crisis in Cuba is worsening, impacting not just work and education, but also nationwide transportation. The Viajero Reservation Services Company, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, released an official statement announcing a cutback in operations and extended apologies for any inconvenience this might cause. Passengers across the country were informed that on Friday, February 14th, agencies would operate only until noon in an effort to conserve energy. However, the sales cycle will continue, with tickets available for March 16th and 17th.
Work and School Activities Suspended This Weekend
On Thursday, the Cuban government declared the suspension of work and educational activities for Friday, February 14th, and Saturday, February 15th, due to the severe energy crisis gripping the nation. "Given the current energy situation and the need to contribute to essential energy savings to mitigate the impact on the population, it has been decided to suspend non-essential work and educational activities on February 14th and 15th," stated the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS). The official statement clarifies that basic services for the population will remain in operation and that affected workers will receive "compensation equivalent to their base salary, in accordance with the Labor Code."
The Collapse of Cuba's Energy System
Lázaro Guerra, the General Director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), warned that the situation remains particularly challenging, though an "improvement in service disruptions" is anticipated. The Electric Union (UNE) reported a 56% deficit in national demand on Thursday, equating to 1,810 MW during peak usage. Ten thermoelectric units were out of service: six due to technical failures and four for maintenance.
Additionally, 59 distributed generation plants and two floating power stations (barges) have been shut down due to a shortage of fuel (fuel oil and diesel). In recent days, several cities have endured blackouts lasting over 20 hours, affecting even Havana, where the electric company has scheduled outages of at least six hours.
Forecast of Blackouts for February 14th
The UNE projected that blackouts could reach 1,435 MW during peak hours this Friday. Although this is less than the previous day's forecast, the deficit remains concerning, foreboding a dark Valentine's Day for millions of Cubans. While the number of thermoelectric units out of service due to failures or maintenance has decreased from ten to seven, there are still thermal restrictions taking 331 MW offline, alongside 493 MW affected by the fuel shortage.
FAQs on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What measures is Cuba taking to address the energy crisis?
Cuba is reducing transportation operations and suspending non-essential work and educational activities to save energy. They are also selling tickets for future dates to manage resources effectively.
How severe is the current energy deficit in Cuba?
The energy deficit is significant, with the Electric Union reporting a 56% deficit in national demand, equating to 1,810 MW during peak hours.
What is the impact of the energy crisis on Cuban cities?
Several cities, including Havana, have experienced prolonged blackouts, with outages lasting over 20 hours in some areas.