The Cuban populace remains ensnared in the inescapable cycle of power outages, with no solution in sight. This Saturday, they again face extended blackouts that will surpass 1,200 megawatts (MW). "We estimate a peak hour availability of 2,099 MW and a maximum demand of 3,250 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,151 MW. Under these conditions, we forecast an impact of 1,221 MW during this period," the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) announced on social media.
On September 28, as the Cuban regime commemorates the anniversary of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), the island's residents will suffer a dual blow from their rulers, who remain unaffected by power cuts in their luxurious residences. Alongside the lack of electricity, citizens will also have to endure the regime's unbearable propaganda celebrating the creation of the CDR, organizations designed to encourage neighborly informants, which have now become yet another oppressive institution of Havana's totalitarian rule, responsible for the plight of countless critical and discontent Cuban citizens.
Additional Strain on Power Resources
The UNE also acknowledged that "yesterday, the service was disrupted due to a generation capacity deficit for the entire day and has continued throughout the early hours of today." They noted, "The maximum impact due to the generation capacity shortfall during peak hours was 1,218 MW at 20:40 hours, coinciding with peak time. Additionally, 33 MW were affected due to distribution network failures caused by adverse weather conditions (Pinar del Rio: 7 MW, Artemisa: 8 MW, Havana: 8 MW, and Cienfuegos: 10 MW)," according to the UNE.
Fuel Shortages Hit Floating Power Plants
This Saturday's daily report from the state company included yet another dismal update. Besides the usual disruptions in distributed generation due to fuel shortages, there's additional bad news: fuel scarcity is also impacting three floating power plants, known as "Turkish barges," located in the Bay of Havana, the Bay of Santiago de Cuba, and the Port of Mariel.