Amid the severe energy crisis, the province of Ciego de Ávila has joined the initiative to sell charcoal to the public, a practice already underway in other regions of the country. "The Pecuaria Ruta Invasora Company has stepped up to the 'Embracing the Neighborhood' call, which is currently taking place in the Indalecio Montejo district of Ciego de Ávila, offering sacks of charcoal at an affordable price," reported the official newspaper Invasor on Facebook.
This decision comes as many Cuban families rely on electricity for cooking, yet these routines have been interrupted by the prolonged and continuous power outages caused by the regime. Recently, the sale of stoves using charcoal as a primary fuel has gained popularity among residents of Ciego de Ávila, an idea originated from the private sector.
An entrepreneur noted in a Facebook group, where he promoted the sale of these stoves, that their price was set at 1,500 Cuban pesos.
A few weeks ago, authorities in Santiago de Cuba also announced the sale of charcoal to the public "as an alternative to the electricity deficit and the fuel situation," according to the territory's governor, Manuel Falcón Hernández.
Power outages seem to have no end for Cubans, in a scenario marked by the breakdown of the Felton thermoelectric plant and a fire in the fuel tank of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas. Authorities stated that the fire is now under control and did not remove the plant from the National Electric System.
Additionally, recent statements from the Cuban Electric Union highlighted the increasing theft of oil from transformers at substations across the country as one of the factors exacerbating Cuba's energy problems.
Understanding the Charcoal Initiative in Cuba
As Cuba faces a significant energy crisis, the introduction of charcoal as an alternative fuel source has generated many questions. Here we address some common inquiries.
Why is Ciego de Ávila selling charcoal to residents?
Ciego de Ávila is selling charcoal to provide residents with an alternative fuel source for cooking, as many rely on electricity which has become unreliable due to frequent power outages.
How much does a charcoal stove cost?
The stoves that use charcoal as a primary fuel are being sold for 1,500 Cuban pesos by private entrepreneurs.
What are the reasons for the ongoing power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are due to multiple factors, including the breakdown of key thermoelectric plants, fuel shortages, and the theft of oil from electrical transformers.