The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) released its routine information bulletin this Saturday, confirming the persistent critical state of the National Electric System (SEN). This grim reality continues to loom over the Cuban populace, overshadowing the illusions cast by the regime during the parade along the Havana Malecon the previous day.
Following the so-called "March of the Fighting People," orchestrated by the ruling leader Miguel Díaz-Canel as a propaganda effort, the SEN experienced severe disruptions, peaking at a generation deficit of 1,619 MW. According to UNE's statement, the electricity supply was disrupted for the entire 24 hours on Friday due to insufficient generation capacity. The situation was particularly dire in various provinces, where blackouts lasting up to 21 hours were reported throughout the day.
For this Friday, UNE forecasts "an available capacity of 1,660 MW against a peak demand of 3,080 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 1,420 MW. If current conditions persist, a 1,490 MW impact is anticipated during this period." During midday, an 800 MW deficit is expected, with the central and eastern parts of the country suffering the most due to the high energy transfer to these regions.
Compounding the crisis are malfunctions at several thermal power plants, including units at the Felton, Renté, and Mariel power stations. Additionally, distributed generation faces setbacks due to fuel shortages, with 79 plants offline, accounting for a loss of 480 MW in capacity.
The "March of the Fighting People," held on Friday, has drawn criticism from analysts and citizens alike, who argue it was a waste of resources that could have been better spent addressing urgent issues like the electricity crisis. This parade is seen as part of the regime's strategy to divert attention from the country's deep-rooted structural problems, including the deterioration of the SEN.
While the regime prioritizes symbolic gestures such as the parade, Cubans continue to endure prolonged blackouts and an energy infrastructure seemingly on the brink of collapse. The lack of concrete solutions and inefficient resource management only fuel skepticism and public discontent regarding the current situation.
Cuba's Electricity Crisis: Key Questions
What caused the generation deficit in Cuba's SEN?
The generation deficit in Cuba's SEN was primarily caused by malfunctions at several thermal power plants and the lack of fuel affecting distributed generation, leading to a significant drop in available electricity capacity.
How long were the power outages in some Cuban provinces?
In some Cuban provinces, power outages lasted up to 21 hours within a single day, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
What was the predicted impact on electricity availability for Friday?
For Friday, the Cuban Electric Union forecasted a 1,490 MW impact on electricity availability due to a deficit between capacity and demand.