On Tuesday, Havana's Electric Company announced an "emergency" schedule of power outages affecting various sections of the capital due to a severe nationwide electricity generation shortfall. According to a statement released on Facebook, the outages will impact customers linked to Blocks #3 and #4 of the city from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In the afternoon, starting at 3:00 p.m., Block #4 will experience interruptions lasting until 7:00 p.m. Additionally, Block #3 will be affected from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Unlike recent announcements, the Electric Company failed to clarify whether water supply sources in the mentioned blocks would remain unaffected. In the comments section, several users expressed skepticism about the schedule, claiming that outages often occur well before the announced times. Comments included, "No country can thrive without electricity. Economically, development is impossible with such disruptions"; "Things are going from bad to worse, there's no way to describe our situation"; "Daily power cuts make life unbearable"; "This will be perpetual. They see nothing changes, and we remain the same"; "From bad to worse."
Unequal Power Distribution Across Cuba
Residents from other provinces voiced frustration over the unequal treatment compared to the capital, highlighting that they have endured systematic power outages ranging from 12 to 20 hours without service. "In Granma, we face 14 to 15-hour outages, while Havana experiences 'emergency' interruptions"; "In central and eastern regions, we endure 12 to 14-hour outages, while the capital rotates blocks and responds to comments," complained two Cubans from different provinces. Others pointed out that the lack of electricity is compounded by shortages of water and gas, making life in Cuba a daunting challenge.
Impact of Power Plant Maintenance
Simultaneously, in its daily update, the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) informed that the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant in Matanzas is undergoing planned maintenance for four days (96 hours). During this period, "essential work on the boiler" will be conducted, as stated by the entity. The estimated power shortages for today could reach up to 1,594 MW during peak demand hours.
The shutdown of the Guiteras, the largest thermoelectric plant in the country, exacerbates the already critical energy crisis facing the island, marked by continuous and extended blackouts, particularly in the interior provinces, where outages can last up to 20 hours daily, especially during peak consumption periods.