In the early hours of Wednesday, Cuba's national power grid, known as the National Electric System (SEN), experienced a complete collapse following an unexpected shutdown at the country's largest thermoelectric plant, the Antonio Guiteras in Matanzas. The Havana Electric Company announced the incident via their Telegram channel, noting the disconnection occurred at 2:08 a.m. and efforts are underway to restore power.
Escalating Energy Crisis: Cuba's Power Struggles Intensify
This latest SEN collapse, the third since October 18, underscores the deepening crisis within Cuba's electrical sector. The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant has frequently been a focal point in these failures due to its severe structural degradation and ongoing maintenance challenges.
Since October, Cuba's energy crisis has worsened, highlighted by a complete blackout on the 18th of that month, caused by the Guiteras plant going offline. This incident left the entire island without electricity, sparking a wave of criticism on social media platforms where Cubans voiced their anger over the lack of effective solutions. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel was compelled to address the nation, vowing to work tirelessly to resolve the situation.
International Attention and Local Struggles
Global media outlets, including The New York Times and CNN, reported on the blackout's severe implications for a nation already grappling with economic and social turmoil. The Cuban populace endured prolonged outages, lasting up to 20 hours daily, turning to alternatives like charcoal and lengthy lines for liquefied gas to cook. The dire circumstances even incited protests and pot-banging demonstrations across several areas.
Continued Deterioration and Natural Disasters
As October progressed, the situation worsened, with new disruptions reported in Eastern Cuba, exacerbated by Hurricane Oscar's devastation in provinces such as Guantánamo and Holguín. Despite governmental efforts to stabilize electricity supplies, outages persisted, heightening public frustration.
By November, the Electric Union reported significant infrastructure damage in provinces like Granma due to strong earthquakes, leaving thousands of homes without power. On November 17, the power generation deficit surpassed 1,400 MW, causing extended outages in various regions. This shortfall was linked to breakdowns in multiple thermoelectric plants and fuel shortages, issues the government failed to effectively address.
December's Blackouts and Systemic Vulnerabilities
December began with another massive blackout affecting Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, leaving several municipalities powerless due to a fault in the 110 kV line from the Renté Thermoelectric Plant. Reported on December 2, this event highlighted the fragility of the national electric system and the government's inability to prevent such occurrences.
The recurrence of these blackouts and the absence of clear solutions continue to keep the Cuban population on edge, demanding immediate action to resolve an energy crisis that seems to have no end in sight.
Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the nationwide blackout in Cuba?
The nationwide blackout was caused by an unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, the largest in Cuba, leading to a complete collapse of the National Electric System.
How has the Cuban government responded to the energy crisis?
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has publicly committed to working tirelessly to resolve the crisis, but persistent outages and infrastructure issues indicate ongoing challenges.
What impact have the blackouts had on the Cuban population?
The blackouts have led to prolonged power outages, forcing Cubans to seek alternative cooking methods and sparking protests and social unrest due to the lack of reliable electricity.