This Friday afternoon, the Cuban government dismissed claims of an impending nationwide power outage. Responding to widespread social media speculation regarding the potential collapse of the National Electric System (SEN), officials assured the public that such an event will not occur, despite the country's current energy shortfall.
In a statement shared on the Ministry of Energy and Mines' social media platforms, the government declared, "There will be no nationwide blackout in Cuba." This announcement comes as a response to circulating posts and private messages spreading "alarmist versions" of an alleged total disconnection of the SEN.
The government labeled these rumors as baseless and unfounded, amid severe criticism for its mishandling of the energy crisis. To address the ongoing energy generation deficit, "scheduled disruptions" in the electrical service are being implemented across various regions to stave off a system-wide failure. These are described as "temporary and organized interruptions" aimed at balancing demand with available capacity.
Officials justified these measures as technical responses to fuel shortages, power plant maintenance, and other constraints inherent to the current energy landscape, factors exacerbated by U.S. government actions against Cuba. They urged the public not to believe the rumors, which they claim are intended to "generate unnecessary panic."
"Messages about a total blackout incite anxiety and misinformation, hindering the orderly management of the situation," the statement continued. "They divert attention from official channels: Only the UNE and its authorized platforms (website, social media profiles, and state media) provide accurate and updated information on affected areas and schedules. They undermine institutional credibility: Sharing unverified information undermines technical and communication efforts to tackle the crisis," officials asserted.
Many internet users questioned which credibility the government referred to, as they believe it had been lost long ago. Shortly before the Ministry's message, several areas in Havana experienced a power outage due to a fault at the Cuatro Caminos Substation, located in the Cotorro municipality.
The capital's Electric Company announced on social media that the power interruption resulted from a breakdown in the substation's high-power transformer, impacting the Popular Councils of Cuatro Caminos, Santa Amelia, and La Portada, as well as surrounding neighborhoods.
Concerns over the significant energy deficit and fears of a repeat of a massive blackout have prompted the Electric Company to refute the possibility of such an event occurring again. "It is FALSE that there will be a total disconnection of SEN in Cuba. Disruptions will continue according to the plan in each province and the current generation deficit," they stated on Facebook. However, one user pointed out that this declaration by the company demonstrated that "disconnections are a completely planned phenomenon" by the government.
According to the official report from the Electric Union (UNE) on Friday, April 4th, the anticipated demand during the evening peak was 3,450 MW, with an available capacity of 1,840 MW, indicating a shortfall of 1,610 MW and an estimated impact of 1,680 MW.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why is there an energy deficit in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing an energy deficit due to a combination of fuel shortages, maintenance issues at power plants, and constraints worsened by U.S. government measures against the country.
What measures has the Cuban government implemented to manage the energy situation?
The government has introduced scheduled power interruptions across different regions to balance the demand with the available capacity and prevent a system-wide collapse.
How does the Cuban government communicate updates about the power situation?
Updates about the power situation are provided through the official channels of the Electric Union (UNE) and the Ministry of Energy and Mines, including their websites, social media profiles, and state media.