The #1 gas production facility (Melones) in Havana is set to restart operations following a period of planned maintenance, as reported by the Manufactured Gas Company and shared by the provincial government on social media this Tuesday. "Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of #GasManufactured and #EMCOR, maintenance activities were completed, allowing us to initiate the restart process," the company stated in an official post.
The maintenance work involved replacing the plant's inlet lines and repairing leaks at junction points, in collaboration with the Hydrocarbon and Derivatives Pipeline Transportation Company (EMCOR).
Service Disruption Affects Multiple Districts
The maintenance led to a temporary service interruption from the night of April 21 to the early hours of April 22, impacting residential customers and businesses in the districts of Plaza de la Revolución, Habana Vieja, Centro Habana, Cerro, and Diez de Octubre. Despite the inconvenience, authorities assert that the work was completed as planned.
This incident echoes a similar situation in March when the same facility halted operations to replace natural gas inlet filters, also in cooperation with EMCOR.
Public Reaction: Complaints and Humor
The March announcement sparked numerous reactions among Havana residents, who took the opportunity to voice their dissatisfaction with the service and their frustration over the ongoing shortage of liquefied gas, an essential resource for cooking in millions of Cuban households.
"Tough competition between the Electric Union (UNE), Aguas de La Habana (AH), the Liquefied Gas Company, and ETECSA, to see which has the best excuse for regularly interrupting their already poor 'services'... plus the blockade, of course," one user joked.
Other users directly inquired about when liquefied gas would be available again, as it has become one of the island's most critical domestic shortages in recent months. "I'm running out of liquefied gas. Should I start a fire in the middle of the street?" a woman sarcastically commented.
An Unbearable Situation for Many Families
The lack of liquefied gas compounds Cuba's severe energy crisis, characterized by prolonged blackouts, inflation of essential goods, and the deterioration of public services, creating a dire situation for much of the population.
Meanwhile, Cubans continue to navigate daily life amidst official justifications, promises of recovery, and temporary solutions that fail to meet the basic needs of millions of households.
Understanding the Gas Crisis in Havana
What caused the recent gas service interruption in Havana?
The interruption was due to planned maintenance work at the #1 gas production facility in Havana, which included replacing inlet lines and fixing leaks, coordinated with EMCOR.
How did the maintenance work affect Havana residents?
The maintenance led to a temporary disruption of gas services that affected residents and businesses in several districts, causing inconvenience due to the reliance on gas for cooking.
What are the broader implications of the gas shortage in Cuba?
The gas shortage exacerbates Cuba's existing energy crisis, which includes frequent blackouts and rising costs of essential goods, leading to severe hardships for many families.