The Electric Company of Havana announced on Tuesday a schedule of "emergency" power outages affecting several districts of the capital due to a severe nationwide electricity generation shortfall. According to a statement released on their Facebook page, these outages will impact customers in Blocks #1 and #2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In the afternoon, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Block #4 will experience power cuts. The most inconvenient time slot, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., will see Block #3 affected, coinciding with the time when families typically return home from work or school.
Cuba's ongoing energy crisis is highlighted by the increasing frequency of scheduled blackouts in Havana. Residents of the capital, who once enjoyed relative immunity compared to other provinces, are now experiencing outages firsthand. Despite shorter durations compared to other regions, Havana's citizens are starting to feel the strain that has long plagued the rest of the country.
Social media comments have shown a wave of frustration towards Havana's Electric Company. Many users expressed their dissatisfaction, noting that these announcements—expanding in both duration and affected areas—seem to be a permanent fixture. Some of the sentiments shared include: "It's every day now, and it seems it's here to stay. No one's saying when this will end. Clearly, never"; "This is here to stay, just like hunger and misery"; "From the moment you wake up, you're tired of all the lies"; "It's maddening. You don't even know what to cook with, as charcoal is exorbitantly priced"; "The emergency has become permanent. We wake up and go to bed in a state of emergency"; "It's the same every day. Where did the fuel go that was sent? Into the cars of the top officials and yours too"; "It's too much. What desperation! The people can't take it anymore"; "We live in a country of lies, where the only reality is the news broadcast"; "Havana Electric Company, please reconsider the 3 to 7 and 6 to 10 schedules. People come home from work to cook during those times"; "Everything here is a test to see if you can cope. They impose it permanently"; "More shortages today than yesterday, despite new synchronizations. Not even in winter, you liars"; "Will we ever escape these outages, or are they eternal now?"; "How do I explain to my daughter that the country's a mess and that's why we never have power?"; "I'm so tired of all of you already."
Meanwhile, the Electric Union (UNE) reported on Tuesday that eight thermoelectric units remain offline, four due to breakdowns and another four for maintenance. Considering these circumstances and the chronic fuel shortages, the estimated impact for today will be 950 MW during daytime hours, rising to 1,450 MW at peak demand.
For Cubans, it seems the challenges are unending.