The Cuban electrical system completely collapses, reports the Ministry of Energy and Mines
HAVANA, Cuba.— In his account on the social network “X”, formerly Twitter, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) of Cuba reported that the Cuban electrical system completely collapsed this Friday.
“At 11:07 this morning, due to the conditions in which the SEN (national electrical system) is operating, its total disconnection occurred,” said Minem, adding that it is already working on its “reestablishment.”
After the unforeseen departure of the CTE Antonio Guiteras, at 11 a.m. today there was a total disconnection of the National Electroenergy System. The Electrical Union is working on its restoration.
— Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba 🇨🇺 (@EnergiaMinasCub) October 18, 2024
According to the ministry, the collapse of the system occurred as a result of a problem at the Guiteras thermoelectric plant, one of the largest in the country, which forced technicians to remove it from the system.
This thermoelectric plant, as reported yesterday by the Electrical Union (UNE), already required maintenance for a few days after being operational all summer, and having been in operation for more than four decades.
In September 2022, a similar situation of “zero production” occurred after Category Three Hurricane Ian passed through the western end of the island. This caused a serious imbalance and left the entire country in darkness. Recovery took several days.
Cuba is immersed in a serious energy crisis due to the deficit of fuel – the result of the lack of foreign currency to import it – for its engines and generating plants, and the obsolescence of its seven thermoelectric plants, of Soviet manufacture and with a lack of investment and maintenance.
“National emergency” in Cuba
#DYinforma | Critical situation for the Cuban Electrical System. ⚠️ Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister of Cuba, appeared this Thursday in an unusual way on television to talk about the current “national emergency” and announced measures such as the paralysis of all work activities… pic.twitter.com/oMgdnxs238
— (@DiariodeYucatan) October 18, 2024
For this Friday, the UNE expected that, at the time of maximum demand, there would be a blackout that would simultaneously affect 49% of the country.
This is the second highest percentage of damage expected so far this year, after this Thursday marked the maximum of about 51%. At the beginning of the year, rates of over 40% were already recorded.
The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruzappeared this Thursday in an unusual way on television to talk about the current “national emergency” and announced measures such as the paralysis of all non-essential state work activities, such as hospitals and food production centers.
🇨🇺 | BREAKING NEWS: Total blackout in Cuba: the Government reports that the electrical system has collapsed throughout the country. https://t.co/PrjTs6DWiT
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) October 18, 2024
Frequent blackouts damage the Cuban economy – which in 2023 contracted 1.9% and is still below 2019 levels – and drive social discontent in a society affected by the economic crisis that has worsened in recent years.
The frequent blackouts have also been catalysts for the latest anti-government protests of some magnitude on the island, including those on July 11, 2021 – the largest in decades – and those on March 17 in Santiago de Cuba (east) and others. localities.
🇨🇺 | LAST MINUTE
Cuba, practically paralyzed by the lack of electricity, has suspended classes throughout the country and only essential personnel will go to work.
All non-essential activities have been canceled and defense zones have been activated amid a growing… pic.twitter.com/9vmFoFfpph
— UHN PLUS (@UHN_Plus) October 18, 2024
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