HAVANA, October 19, 2024 (AP).— Millions of Cubans were left without electricity after the national energy system will collapse due to the breakdown in one of the main power plants of the Caribbean nation.
The widespread blackout that hit the island is the worst in at least two years.
Today, Saturday, the authorities managed to reconnect the electrical service to some circuits, but it was not clear when it would be restored to 100% throughout the country.
Below are some things to know about this emergency:
What caused the blackout in Cuba?
Although the energy problems in Cuba They have been going on for months, in this year 2024 they worsened.
According to official reports, on some days the electricity supply in 2024 reached only 60% of the requirements or demand of that day.
On the night of Thursday October 17 The worst blackout occurred so far this year, with 50% of the country in darkness.
In this context of instability, yesterday morning Friday the 18th a breakdown in the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plantin the province of Matanzas, caused a total disconnection of the entire national system and a total and massive blackout.
Cuba paralyzed. Another historic massive blackout but it is not the first that happens. Neither the José Martí international airport in #LaHabana gets rid of the situation. These images are from just a while ago.#cuba #17Oct #SOSCuba #CubaBlackouts pic.twitter.com/fFNTnfPPqN
— Manuel A. Rodriguez Yong (@ManuAlejoRY) October 18, 2024
What are the reasons for this instability?
Cuba produces its energy from large thermoelectric plants, such as Antonio Guiteraswhich are supplied with fuel.
Another part of the electricity is generated by small locally distributed plants and patanas – boats equipped with electric power generators – rented to Türkiyeall of which consume crude oil or derivatives.
But the Caribbean nation barely produces half of the fuel it needs, so it must go out and buy abroad, a market it cannot normally access due to United States sanctions, which also forces it to pay premiums in dollars, which its ailing economy lacks.
The island has also depended on allies, such as Venezuela and Russiato obtain this fuel, but these countries now have their own problems to address.
A second reason is that the plants are old and without adequate maintenance, again due to lack of foreign currency, which is why they stop or break down—like the Guiteras—frequently.
🏭⚡️ Statements from Rubén Campos Olmo, general director of the CTE Antonio Guiteras, about the actions that are already being undertaken to return unity to the SEN.
🎥: John Vila #ACNteam pic.twitter.com/RyGDD56G4s
— Cuban News Agency (@ACN_Cuba) October 19, 2024
1/5 Cuba suffers from constant blackouts. Their power plants are destroyed. I was in the CTE. MAXIMO GÓMEZ in Mariel as an engineer to help them rebuild it, but it was destroyed. The Russians set it up, but they let them. They only had 1 alternator working. pic.twitter.com/7za6E75NdN
— Julio Europa² (EX-MAKER who helped healthcare) (@julioetrabajo) October 16, 2024
He third factor in this perfect storm that caused the collapse yesterday Friday morning is a increase in residential demand, especially in the torrid early mornings due to an increase in air conditioners – some 100,000 of these units so far this year alone – that Cubans are installing.
Has it happened before?
This is the worst blackout that has been remembered for decades in Cuba.
Although Cubans usually experience outages of a few hours daily, they are never serious enough to disconnect the national energy system.
In 2002 there was a disconnection of the energy system caused by breakdowns after the passage of the powerful Cyclone Ian in the west of the country.
In Cuba, Hurricane Ian (higher than Fiona) caused a massive blackout that left the entire island in darkness. It took less than 48 hours to begin restoring service. Still, there have been protests. The difference: those DO make big headlines and covers. pic.twitter.com/QQQhfHAjv0
— Luis De Jesús 🇵🇷 (@ldejesusreyes) October 1, 2022
Did you know that in the #Florida 2.5 million d 👥 are in blackout 😶 as a result of 🌀 #Ianand recovery takes time.
👉 Nobody there has thought of calling the citizens of #USA to protest in the streets
🤔 Why do they summon the people of #Cuba?
🤔 Is it hate? pic.twitter.com/fhF5knmzYy
— Manuel 📱🇨🇺 (@MartinezDCuba) October 5, 2022
Are there political consequences?
For now it is unpredictable to say what will be the political impact of this total and massive blackout, but the lack of electricity was the catalyst for the protests of July 2021, October 2022 and March 2024, when people took to the streets to demand electricity.
#LastMinute #Cuba #StopTheDictatorship | At 10:25 pm the National Electroenergy System was completely disconnected again, plunging the island into total darkness. The electricity crisis is serious in the country. Details: pic.twitter.com/1CwVEzcWm8
— Mario J. Pentón (@MarioJPenton) October 20, 2024
Poet @AlbertoZevallo5: Cuba collapsed.
-The electrical system has fallen and 20 HOURS OF BLACKOUT are expected daily.
-Total suspension of ACTIVITIES, including education.
-Strong military presence in the event of a possible SOCIAL OUTSTANDING.
-Shortage of water and food.
Long live socialism! pic.twitter.com/uhk47IeidX— 1ocioso (@1ocioso) October 19, 2024
In July 2021, one person died and looting occurred. The government’s reaction with the imprisonment of protesters and their prosecution generated international criticism.
Usually, the Cuban authorities even point out that the United States and pressure groups based in Florida fuel media campaigns and on social networks taking advantage of the specific discontent due to the crisis situation – energy and economic – to promote protests that will lead to the fall of the government.
What’s next?
It is unknown when this specific breakdown will be resolved, but the authorities have been publicly working since last year on a project that will change the island’s energy matrix through the use of alternative energies.
For example, the government is in the process of installing 31 photovoltaic parks that will be ready in 2025.
Related
#electrical #blackout #plunged #Cuba #darkness
It seems you are referencing a recent wave of blackouts in Cuba and the circumstances surrounding them. The instability in Cuba’s power supply can be attributed to multiple factors:
1. **Fuel Dependency**: Cuba relies heavily on thermoelectric plants that require fuel, a significant portion of which must be imported. The island struggles to meet its fuel demands and often faces challenges due to U.S. sanctions that limit its access to suitable markets, forcing higher costs in dollars, which the country lacks.
2. **Aging Infrastructure**: The power generation plants in Cuba are old and frequently suffer from maintenance issues. Many of these facilities, like the Antonio Guiteras plant, have not received the necessary upkeep due to a shortage of foreign currency, leading to frequent breakdowns.
3. **Rising Demand**: There has been a notable increase in residential electricity demand, partly due to the installation of air conditioning units in homes. This spike in usage strains an already faltering energy grid.
The current situation reflects a culmination of these factors. The blackouts have been described as the worst in decades, with impacts felt across the entire nation. This instability has led to civil unrest in the past, as seen with protests sparked by similar energy crises in 2021 and 2022. The extent of the political repercussions from these blackouts remains uncertain, but they have historically acted as catalysts for public protest and demand for change.
Given the present context, observers are closely watching how the situation will develop and whether it will fuel further civil discontent or prompt governmental responses.
