The recent decision by the Havana Electric Company to implement "solidarity" power outages of two hours in the capital has sparked intense controversy on social media.
While Havana prepares to face these power cuts, many citizens from the provinces have voiced their outrage, pointing out that these interruptions are not comparable to the long hours of blackouts they endure daily, and have been suffering for several years.
The trigger for the social media uproar was a Facebook post by user Pedro de Jesús López Acosta. After expressing his dissatisfaction, the Cuban criticized what he sees as an unequal treatment between Havana and the rest of the provinces.
According to López Acosta, while in the capital the blackouts are justified as "emergencies," in the provinces, they occur continuously and for extended periods due to the deficit in power generation. He views this situation as evidence of the authorities' "shamelessness" and lack of "empathy."
López Acosta's words resonated with many Facebook users, who shared his frustration over what they consider an unequal distribution of power outages.
López Acosta notes in his post that Havana could be consuming up to 25% of the country's electricity, raising questions about the proportionality of the cuts in comparison to the rest of the provinces.
Meanwhile, the Havana Electric Company has asked the capital's residents to adopt energy-saving measures to avoid overloading the grid and reduce interruptions, a request perceived as belated and inappropriate by many provincial residents.
This episode highlights the growing tensions between the capital and the rest of the country amid an ongoing energy crisis that seems to have no end in sight.
Understanding the Debate Over Power Outages in Cuba
In light of the recent controversy, here are some frequently asked questions and answers to better understand the situation:
Why are power outages in Havana considered "solidarity" outages?
The term "solidarity" is used to indicate that these outages are intended to distribute the burden of the energy crisis more evenly, despite the shorter duration compared to the provinces.
What is the main cause of power outages in the provinces?
The primary cause is the deficit in power generation, leading to extended and continuous blackouts in provincial areas.
How much electricity does Havana consume relative to the rest of Cuba?
It is estimated that Havana consumes up to 25% of the country's total electricity, which raises concerns about the fairness of the distribution of power cuts.
What measures are being taken to address the power crisis?
The Havana Electric Company has requested residents to adopt energy-saving measures to prevent overloading the grid and reduce power interruptions.