With just 48 hours left until August, Cubans are still enduring frequent and prolonged power outages, despite promises from Miguel Díaz-Canel, his ministers, leaders, and the Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) to reduce blackouts during the summer months.
The strategies for repairing and maintaining Cuba's thermoelectric plants, developed in the months leading up to the summer season, have failed to improve the electricity supply in July, the first month of school vacations in Cuba and one of the hottest of the year.
Since the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant went out of service due to a boiler failure on June 27, causing a deficit of over 900 MW, the Cuban Electrical System (SEN) has been unable to generate and supply the electricity needed by and paid for by UNE clients. Supply deficits since that date have ranged from 290 MW to 1060 MW daily.
For this Monday, "an availability of 2,420 MW and a maximum demand of 3,150 MW is estimated for peak hours, resulting in a deficit of 730 MW. If conditions remain as forecasted, an 800 MW impact is expected during this period," UNE stated on its social media.
"Yesterday, service was affected by a generation capacity deficit from 5:00 PM to 4:43 AM today. The highest impact during the day was 481 MW at 11:10 PM, not coinciding with peak hours," specified the state-run company led by Alfredo López Valdés.
On Monday morning, the SEN's availability "is 2,420 MW, demand is 2,390 MW, with the entire system in service, [so] a 450 MW service impact due to generation capacity deficit is estimated for midday hours."
"Units 5 of CTE Mariel, unit 1 of CTE Santa Cruz, and unit 2 of CTE Felton are out of service due to failures," added UNE, explaining that the blackouts occur "due to increased unavailability of fuel in distributed generation and higher-than-forecasted demand."
As July comes to a close, the promises of the leader appointed by General Raúl Castro and head of the "continuity" have once again fallen short. "We will have extended maintenance until June to minimize the inconvenience of blackouts in the summer, especially in July and August," Díaz-Canel promised at the end of May.
Cuban netizens who leave comments on UNE's social media express their frustration and indignation over this situation and the lies and manipulations of the regime's leaders.
"You guys are in Ferrari Mode: you've gone from 90 to 800 in just three days. Clarify something for me: Do you meet every day to discuss how you can deceive the people more, or does it come to you spontaneously?" asked one user.
"A lack of respect. Baseball season and Rebellion Days end, and the deficit increases massively from one day to the next. How long will this go on?" observed another.
"When you planned this summer, didn't you think you needed diesel? Was it utopia? Did you think the weather would be cooperative? Reality doesn't match the promises... and meanwhile, summer is synonymous with heat, illness, and despair."
Power Outages in Cuba: Questions and Answers
The ongoing power outages in Cuba have left many with questions regarding the causes and potential solutions. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What is causing the frequent power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are primarily due to failures in thermoelectric plants, increased unavailability of fuel, and higher-than-forecasted demand.
What measures has the Cuban government promised to reduce power outages?
The government has promised extended maintenance on thermoelectric plants to minimize blackouts, especially during the summer months of July and August.
How have Cuban citizens reacted to the power outages?
Many Cubans have expressed frustration, anger, and feelings of betrayal by the government, voicing their concerns and criticisms on social media.