The Cuban regime has announced efforts to prevent nighttime blackouts in Havana, stating that power outages will occur "only in emergencies," according to a statement from the Electric Company in the province.
In an informative note posted on Facebook, it was mentioned that while some areas will experience disruptions during the day, nighttime service will remain unaffected unless an emergency arises. "Considering the generation deficit in the National Electric System," the communication states, "electrical service will be affected for customers in the capital associated with Block No. 2 and Block No. 3 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29."
Additionally, the note highlights that "customers associated with Block No. 4 will be on reserve for the nighttime hours, which will only be affected in the event of emergency conditions within the National Electric System. Subsequently, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, customers associated with Block No. 1 will experience service disruptions."
Lázaro Guerra Hernández, Technical Director of the Union Eléctrica (UNE), indicated this Wednesday that the synchronization of several power generation blocks in Cuba throughout this week will reduce the severe impact of blackouts, which for Tuesday were expected to approach nearly 1,500 MW.
"We explained on Sunday that this week is crucial because we are incorporating several significant units into the system. We anticipate that as these units come online throughout the week, the situation will improve, and by the end of the week, we will be in a better position regarding the availability of thermal generation, which is the base generation of the system," Guerra Hernández stated in declarations to Cuban Television.
Cuba is experiencing an energy crisis, subjecting thousands of Cubans to blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day. Historically, however, Havana has been excluded from these cycles to avoid visible protests in the capital. Last week, a significant protest occurred in Central Havana after residents reported a malfunctioning transformer that eventually exploded, leaving them without service for much of the early morning hours.
Understanding Havana's Nighttime Blackout Policy
This section provides insights into the Cuban government's recent policy on nighttime blackouts in Havana, explaining the measures and reasons behind them.
Why are nighttime blackouts in Havana limited to emergencies?
The Cuban government aims to prevent visible protests in the capital by ensuring nighttime blackouts occur only in emergencies.
Which blocks in Havana are affected by daytime blackouts?
Blocks No. 2 and No. 3 will experience service disruptions from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Block No. 1 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
What caused the recent protest in Central Havana?
Residents protested after a malfunctioning transformer exploded, leaving them without power for much of the night.