The ongoing energy crisis continues to disrupt the daily lives of Cubans, highlighting the clear inability of Miguel Díaz-Canel's government to resolve the collapse of the national electro-energy system (SEN). This Tuesday, more than a third of the country was once again plunged into darkness. The problematic synchronization of the country's principal thermoelectric plant, Matanzas' Antonio Guiteras, which disconnected last Tuesday for a "scheduled maintenance" that exceeded the anticipated 96 hours, has not brought any improvement for the clients of the Union Eléctrica (UNE).
For this Tuesday, state-run company led by Alfredo López Valdés reported a peak hour availability of 1,650 MW against a maximum demand of 3,030 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,380 MW. If these conditions persist, a projected impact of 1,450 MW is expected during this period. The day before, UNE announced "impacts" exceeding 1,300 MW. However, in an unusual deviation from the norm, the organization reported a slightly lower figure on Tuesday, placing the "impacts" at around 1,278 MW.
Challenges of Cuba’s Energy System
With four thermoelectric units out of order (Unit 5 at Mariel, Unit 1 at Santa Cruz, Unit 5 at Nuevitas, and Unit 2 at Felton) and four others undergoing maintenance (Unit 2 at Santa Cruz, Units 3 and 4 at Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 at Renté), the SEN struggles to recover from the deadly combination of time's toll and lack of investment. Amid this bleak scenario, the Cuban capital suffers one of the worst streaks of power outages in recent times.
Contrasting Realities
Despite the dire situation, the Cuban regime hosted a tribute to the late dictator Fidel Castro on the steps of the University of Havana on Monday. The event was filled with lights, music, and slogans, starkly contrasting with the darkened city surrounding it.
The "energy emergency" gives no respite to Cubans, who turn to social media as their sole outlet to express frustration and indignation toward a regime that keeps its population in a dire state of insecurity. "Every day, it's the same news. The SEN was stabilized at a critical point, and most people have resigned themselves to accepting this as the new normal. Those with resources or concerned relatives abroad can find their own solutions (solar panels, batteries, energy independence), but those without are living on the brink of despair," remarked a Cuban in response to UNE's forecast of power outages for this Tuesday.